Mestalla will play host to an intriguing contest in La Liga on Saturday evening, as Valencia welcome Real Betis, with both sides in the battle for a European finish in Spain's top flight.
Valencia currently sit seventh in the La Liga table, three points behind sixth-placed Real Sociedad, while Real Betis are eighth, two points from their opponents this weekend.
Match preview
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There is no getting away from the fact that the 2022-23 campaign was incredibly disappointing for Valencia, with the team finishing down in 16th spot in La Liga, which proved to be their worst position in Spain's top flight since being relegated to the Segunda Division back in 1986.
Los Che have been much-improved this term, though, with a solid season to date seeing them pick up 47 points from their 31 matches, which is currently enough for seventh spot in the table.
As it stands, Ruben Baraja's side would qualify for the Conference League playoff round, but they are only three points behind sixth-placed Real Sociedad, who are occupying a Europa League spot in the table.
Valencia will enter this match off the back of successive away wins over Granada and Osasuna, while they have actually won three of their last five in the league, suffering just one defeat in the process.
The six-time La Liga champions have been solid at home this season, picking up 29 points from 15 matches, and they will be welcoming a Real Betis side that have just three away league wins to their name in 2023-24.
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Real Betis will also enter this match off the back of a win, having beaten struggling Celta Vigo 2-1 last time out, with the result ending a four-game losing run in Spain's top flight.
Manuel Pellegrini's side have picked up 45 points from their 31 league matches this season, which has left them in eighth spot, two points behind seventh-placed Valencia and five from Real Sociedad in sixth.
The Green and Whites finished sixth in La Liga last term, and they have proven difficult to beat this term, only losing eight times, but too many draws (12) have cost them a spot higher up the division.
Real Betis comfortably beat Valencia in the reverse game earlier this season, recording a 3-0 victory, but they lost 3-0 in the corresponding fixture at Mestalla during the 2022-23 campaign.
The Seville outfit have a recent Mestalla victory to their name, though, triumphing in the famous stadium in May 2022, and they have only lost once to Valencia in the last seven league meetings between the two sides.
Team News
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Valencia were missing three players for their clash with Osasuna on Monday evening and that will again be the case here, with Roman Yaremchuk, Jose Gaya and Mouctar Diakhaby on the sidelines.
The club have not reported any fresh problems, though, so it would not be a surprise to see head coach Baraja name the same XI, with Hugo Guillamon likely to continue on the bench.
Almeida was on the scoresheet against Osasuna, and he will again operate alongside Hugo Duro in the final third of the field, while Fran Perez and Diego Lopez should continue in the wide positions.
As for Real Betis, Hector Bellerin will be missing until early next month due to a hamstring problem, while Marc Roca and Ezequiel Avila remain on the treatment table for Pellegrini's side.
Marc Bartra is also a major doubt due to an Achilles problem, while Sokratis Papastathopoulos will need to be assessed, as the centre-back has been suffering with an illness.
Nabil Fekir came off the bench to score against Celta last time out, and he is expected to now be introduced into the XI, with Ayoze Perez likely to drop out for the Green and Whites this weekend.
Valencia possible starting lineup:
Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Mosquera, Ozkacar, Vazquez; F Perez, Guerra, Pepelu, D Lopez; Almeida, Duro
Real Betis possible starting lineup:
Silva; Ruibal, Pezzella, Riad, Miranda; Rodriguez, Cardoso; Fornals, Isco, Fekir; Willian Jose
We say: Valencia 2-1 Real Betis
Real Betis have dropped points in 12 of their 15 away league games this season, while Valencia have posted eight wins at Mestalla in Spain's top flight in 2023-24. Los Che are in strong form, and we are expecting the six-time Spanish champions to navigate their way to an important three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
