Verdict: Draw
Best Odds: 29/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Two camps who only find themselves separated by their goal difference, Valencia will welcomed Espanyol to the Mestalla on Tuesday night.
Valencia
Starting with the hosts, while Valencia might have only appointed Carlos Corberan over the festive period, Los Ches have embarked on a remarkable rise under the former West Brom boss. With the mood around the Mestalla at a red-hot high, the Bats have rightfully received a string of plaudits from across Spain’s elite. Mounting a second-half comeback away at Rayo Vallecano over the weekend as they eventually snatched a 1-1 stalemate, Valencia have registered 10 points from their previous four La Liga appearances. Getting April underway with what was an iconic 2-1 victory away at defending champions Real Madrid, Corberan’s men will be looking to lay down another statement of intent here. Likewise, along with winning each of their last three consecutive showdowns at the Mestalla by an aggregate score of 4-1, Valencia have also registered 12 points from their previous five matchups in front of their own supporters.
Valencia Team News
Shown what was a costly late booking against Rayo Vallecano over the weekend, Nigerian international Umar Sadiq will serve a one-match suspension here. Dealing with a long-term knee injury and not making a single appearance since the end of October, ex-Sporting Lisbon youngster Thierry Correia remains on the sidelines.
While Giorgi Mamardashvili might be set to complete a blockbuster move to Premier League giants Liverpool this summer, the Georgian shot-stopper will start between the sticks. Coming off the bench and bagging a famous last-gasp winner against Real Madrid on April 5th, Hugo Duro should keep his spot leading the line.
Espanyol
As for the visitors, while Espanyol might have opened 2025 pencilled in as a standout contender to be hit with an immediate Segunda return, the Parakeets have come roaring back in a sensational fashion. Last seen over the weekend claiming a gritty 1-0 victory at home against Getafe, the Catalonia-based outfit have won all of their previous four La Liga appearances. Skyrocketing themselves away from a relegation scrap, the mood in Manolo Gonzalez’s camp should be at a red-hot high. Getting April underway with a remarkable 4-0 romp away at Rayo Vallecano, Espanyol have also suffered just a sole defeat from any of their last eight La Liga matchups – a purple patch that stems all the way back to February 9th. Snatching a point from all of their previous four meetings against Valencia, Gonzalez’s camp will be looking to spring another public upset here.
Espanyol Team News
All still dealing with respective injury issues, Espanyol will once again be without the trio of Jose Catala, Jose Gragera and former Girona defender Brian Olivan on Tuesday night. However, serving a one-match suspension against Getafe last week, Javi Puado could be handed a full recall here.
Making a real impact after completing a loan switch from Real Sociedad during the January transfer window, Urko Gonzalez will start in the middle of the park. Bagging three goals in as many appearances, Braga loanee Roberto Fernandez Jaen will spearhead Gonzalez’s attack.
Valencia vs Espanyol Key Factors to Consider
- When Valencia and Espanyol met for their reverse La Liga meeting on December 18th, Tuesday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate at the RCDE Stadium.
- In fact, each of the last four meetings between Tuesday’s opponents have finished in a draw.
- Valencia have collected 10 points from just their previous four La Liga appearances.
- Espanyol have remarkably won their previous three consecutive La Liga showdowns by an aggregate score of 7-0.
- Likewise, the Parakeets have won three of their previous four La Liga appearances outside of Catalonia.
Conclusion
Two camps who open Tuesday’s showdown only separated by their goal difference, Valencia and Espanyol find the moods in their respective camps at a red-hot high. With the midweek opponents playing out a 1-1 draw when they meet for their reverse La Liga showdown on December 18th, they do have a habit of settling for a single point. In fact, each of their last four consecutive meetings between Los Ches and the Parakeets have finished in a stalemate.
Verdict: Draw
Best Odds: 29/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
