Valencia vs Real Valladolid Predictions & Match Preview

Valencia vs Real Valladolid predictions and match preview for Thursday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as two relegation candidates meet.

Valencia vs Real Valladolid Preview

There is a massive game at the bottom of LaLiga this Thursday as Valencia and Real Valladolid face off at Mestalla. The away team are 5 points better off and victory here for them would all but guarantee their safety, whilst pushing their hosts into deep, deep trouble.

To their credit, Valencia held their nerve and won the first of two seemingly “must win” games against rock bottom Elche at the weekend. Backed by around 5,000 travelling supporters, a huge number by the normal standards of away support in Spain, Los Che took control of the game early with Samuel Lino breaking the deadlock before Gonzalo Verdu’s own goal sealed the points in a 2-0 win.

It didn’t lift Los Che outside the relegation zone but it’ll be a big boost to morale following a disappointing home defeat against Sevilla where they felt they were hard done by in terms of a number of decisions that went against them. For now, Ruben Baraja seems to have settled on a 3-5-2 system with Lino and Edinson Cavani likely to lead the line again here.

Real Valladolid meanwhile have got the kind of new manager bounce that Valencia would have been hoping for when Baraja came in. They’ve taken 7 points from 3 games so far under Paulo Pezzolano, a fantastic return which has given them a bit of a cushion on the relegation places. 

The most recent win came via a 1-0 margin against Girona with Monchu’s 24th minute strike the difference between the sides at the weekend. They were also surprise victors in this part of the world against Villarreal in their most recent road game and 6 goals from 3 games since the change is also testament to the improvements that appear to be taking place. They are in good shape selection wise too with only long-term absentee Anuar likely to be missing here.

Team News & Possible Lineups

Valencia

Possible XI: Mamardashvili – Ozkacar, Diakhaby, Gabriel – Gaya, Almeida, Nico, Musah, Foulquier – Lino, Cavani (3-5-2)

Coach: Ruben Baraja

Real Valladolid

Possible XI: Masip – Escudero, El Yamiq, Joaquin, Fresneda – Hongla – Monchu, Amallah, Kike Perez – Larin, Plata (4-1-3-2)

Coach: Paulo Pezzolano

Score Prediction: Valencia 1-1 Real Valladolid

Valencia did what had to be done against Elche but this will be tougher against a revitalised Real Valladolid side. The visitors are playing with a bit of confidence and the belief that winning football matches brings and they are more than capable of making this tough for Baraja’s side here and a draw would be no surprise.

PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga score predictions are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.