Prediction: Getafe vs Valencia

Verdict: Over 2.5 goals scored – yes

Best Odds: 31/20

Bookmaker: 888sport

The 2018-19 Copa del Rey quarterfinals will begin this Tuesday when Valencia, a side that barely moved past Sporting Gijon in the previous round, visit Getafe for the first leg of the “elite eight” of the competition. Both sides have had opposite performances in LaLiga thus far, but both should see the Cup as an important trophy. It could be cherry on the top of the cake for Getafe. However, it might be the only way to save an “underwhelming” season for Valencia.

Getafe

The Madrid-based side are on a good run of form at the moment since they’re riding a four-game undefeated streak across all competitions. Los Azulones are coming off a win in their previous Liga outing – 4-0 at home over Alaves – while also getting past Valladolid in the previous Copa del Rey tie. Getafe advanced on a 2-1 aggregate score, thanks to a 1-0 win at home and a 1-1 draw on the road. This excellent run of form has Getafe alive and well on both domestic competitions, but we have to be honest. No one expected them to play this well in the league, where they sit in sixth place with 31 points thanks to a W8, D7, L5 record. But most importantly, they are just two points behind Sevilla for the latest UEFA Champions League berth. Getafe entered this season with mid-table aspirations, but now have a realistic possibility to end the 2018-19 campaign playing in Europe. And clinching the Copa del Rey title could be another way to reach an European competition.

Team News

Getafe are close to be at full strength ahead of this game.

The manager’s lone two absentees will be Markel Bergara and Amath Ndiaye, both due to injury.

Valencia

If Getafe deserve praise for their impressive 2018-19 season, then Valencia deserve exactly the opposite. Los Che have struggled badly during the current term, and appear to be miles away from the side that dazzled the world roughtly 12 months ago with their play. Marcelino, who was coming off a fourth-place finish with Valencia last term, now has the team in ninth place with only 26 points (W5, D11, L4). To put things into perspective, the Mestalla outfit sit five points away from the final Europa League spot – held by Getafe, no less – and seven points off the final UEFA Champions League berth 20 games into the season. But there are some encouraging signs. The win over Sporting Gijon (3-0 at home) gave them a 4-2 edge on the aggregate score on the Copa del Rey Round of 16 tie, and they also secured a comfortable 2-1 away win at Celta de Vigo in their previous league outing. With only one loss in their previous five league matches (W2, D2, L1), can they translate that form into the Copa del Rey quarterfinals? Getting a win here could be massive for their chances of reaching the next round.

Team News

Marcelino won’t have two important players available for this match.

Winger Goncalo Guedes and central midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia are both out of this match due to injury.

Key Factors to Consider

• These two sides have already met once this season. It happened in this same venue, and that match ended with a 1-o win over Valencia.
• Four of Valencia’s last five matches in all competitions have witnessed over 2.5 goals scored. The same thing has happened in three of Getafe’s last five (all competitions).
• Getafe have the edge on the recent H2H record with Valencia: W2, D2, L1 (all competitions).
• Los Azulones have looked absolutely dominant at home with a W4, L1 record in their previous five matches (all competitions).
• Meanwhile, Valencia have struggled a bit on the road of late: W1, D1, L3 (all competitions).

Conclusion

Both sides will undoubtedly try to start their quarterfinal tie with a positive result. Knowing both sides enter this game in good form, we could be in line for a very open contest. One where we could easily witness over 2.5 goals scored in total.

Verdict: Over 2.5 goals scored – yes

Best Odds: 31/20

Bookmaker: 888sport