Predicition: Valencia vs Osasuna

Verdict: Both teams score

Best odds: 111/100

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Valencia is eager to capitalise on their victory against Girona in the previous round and upset Osasuna after having a dismal start with just one victory in seven games. At Mestalla Stadium on Tuesday night, approximately 40,000 supporters are expected to see another outstanding performance from their favourite players.

Valencia

The Summer preparations confirmed the hosts’ poor start in this new campaign after recording two wins from seven games, with a home loss debut defeat to Barcelona (1-2). While the extreme schedule with games against top opponents followed, Valencia failed to recover in the next five La Liga rounds by winning a single point (D1L4).

Facing a period without significant activity on the transfer market proved costly for Los Che, as the attacking line suffered a major hit before travelling to Girona. Failing to bounce back from the defeat against Barcelona, Valencia lost at Celta Vigo after conceding three times in 35 minutes (3-1 final score).

Forced to play on the road the next game due to scheduling, Ruben Baraja’s side dropped further in the standings after being hit before the half-time whistle with the goal that set the final score (1-0). It was the worst result before returning home to host an in-form Villareal looking to climb the rankings.

However, despite the disappointing start, Valencia secured the first point of the season after drawing against Villareal (1-1), a positive result before heading to Madrid to face Atletico. Still, leaving Wanda Metropolitano undefeated became impossible when the former Chelsea ace Conor Gallagher scored the opening goal before halftime.

Diego Simeone’s team finished the job in the second term after his player netted twice, leaving Valencia close to the relegation zone with a negative goal difference. While a looming game at Mestalla against Champions League side Girona was fast approaching, Los Che shocked the visitors by playing the perfect match and winning without conceding (2-0). Still sitting two points above the last place, Valencia needs a positive result against Osasuna before heading to the Basque Country, where they will face Real Sociedad.

Team New

Centre-back Mouktar Diakhaby is a long-term absence for Valencia and will not feature against Osasuna. Furthermore, Los Che mains striker Hugo Duro is out for a couple of weeks with a muscle injury, leaving Ruben Baraja with limited striker options.

Osasuna

After the end of an era, Jakoba Arrassate departed from Osasuna this Summer. The club appointed Vicente Moreno as head coach with a clear target to bring back Osasuna in the European competitions as his predecessor did. While the Summer preparations raised some concerns since the visitors won a single game from five tests, the Little Reds had a great start amassing four points after two rounds.

An unconvincing home debut against Leaganes (1-1) was quickly forgotten when Osasuna secured the first win of the season by defeating Mallorca in front of its fans. Still, it was not easy with the strikers repeatedly missing the target before Ruben’s Garica 55-minute decisive strike that brought Osasuna’s first win in the current La Liga campaign.

Riding a wave of confidence, Vicente Moreno’s team had a reality check at Girona after surrendering completely to a 4-0 shameful defeat. While the Girona crash was expected to have a negative emotional impact in the following game, Osasuna bounced back in style by dispatching Celta Vigo in front of their fans  (3-2 win).

Yet, despite heading to Rayo Vallecano packed with confidence, the Little Reds displayed a mental barrier on the rod after being defeated 3-1, leaving the team with seven goals conceded in the last two games played away from home.

Returning home after the Rayo Vallecano capitulation, Osasuna proved to be a strong side in front of its fans by securing a perfect home record with three consecutive wins in as many games played after, defeating Las Palmas (2-1).

Team News

Right winger Kike Barja is recovering from a cruciate ligament tear suffered in March and will return to training at the end of the year. Iker Munoz joined the recovery room after breaking his foot at the end of August. The Croatia international Ante Budimir will spearhead the attacking line, hoping to score as he did against Las Palmas.

Key factors to consider

• Valencia is 2 points from bottom spot after six rounds played
• The host broke the ice last week recording their first win in La Liga this term
• Osasuna lost both games played away in La Liga
• The visitors’ latest visit to Mestalla returned a 2-1 win

Conclusion

Breaking the deadlock in the previous round with a home win against Girona, we expect Valencia to maintain a high tempo against Osasuna. However, as the visitors proved capable of scoring, after netting 8 goals in the first six rounds, we predict an all-out match with goals scored at both ends.

Verdict: Both teams score

Best odds: 111/100

Bookmaker: ZetBet