Sports Mole previews Saturday’s La Liga clash between Valencia and Real Betis, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Valencia will play their first game since the devastating DANA storm struck the region when they welcome Real Betis to Mestalla for Saturday’s La Liga contest.
The hosts are languishing at the foot of the table with seven points to their name, while the visitors will head into the weekend in seventh position.
Match preview
Valencia have been out of action since October 27 after games against Real Madrid, Espanyol and CP Parla Escuela were postponed due to the devastating floods that hit the region.
The club have confirmed that 100% of ticket sale earnings from Saturday’s home meeting with Betis will “contribute to the recovery of the Valencia region and help the return of sporting and educational activities for children affected by the DANA tragedy”.
While football may not be a priority for the Valencian Community, Los Che boss Ruben Baraja will do his utmost to prepare his team for Saturday’s fixture, with the hosts looking for significant improvements on the pitch after winning just one of their 11 league games this season (D4, L6).
Having scored just eight league goals this season, Valencia need to discover a cutting edge in the final third if they are to cut the three-point gap to safety.
Los Che have failed to win their last three matches against Betis, leaving without a head-to-head victory since they eased to a 3-0 home win in November 2022.
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Betis are currently sitting outside the top six on goal difference after winning five, drawing five and losing three of their 13 matches this season.
Los Verdiblancos put together a promising run of form before the international break, recording four wins and three draws in seven matches in all competitions, with four of those games taking place in the Spanish top flight.
In the league, Betis recorded back-to-back wins over Osasuna and Atletico Madrid, before they played out consecutive draws with Athletic Club and Celta Vigo.
They appeared to be heading to a 2-1 defeat in their home meeting with Celta until substitute Marc Bartra netted a 95th-minute equaliser to salvage a point for Manuel Pellegrini‘s side.
Betis will return from the international break with an away trip, and while they have won just one of their six away league games (D3, L2), they can take confidence from the fact that they recorded a 2-1 victory on their most recent trip to Mestalla in April.
Valencia La Liga form:
Real Betis La Liga form:
Real Betis form (all competitions):
Team News
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Valencia are expected to be without the services of Maximiliano Caufriez, Mouctar Diakhaby, Rafa Mir and Ruben Iranzo.
Full-back Thierry Rendall is set to miss the rest of the season after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury in last month’s draw with Getafe.
Captain Jose Gaya is poised to feature on the left side of defence after he made his first start since returning from injury in Valencia’s most recent outing.
As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon Johnny Cardoso, Nobel Mendy, William Carvalho, Marc Roca, Isco and Hector Bellerin.
Attacker Pablo Fornals has emerged as a potential doubt after he felt some discomfort during Wednesday’s training session.
In positive news, Aitor Ruibal is available for selection having recovered from an injury which has kept him out of the last four matches.
Valencia possible starting lineup:
Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Mosquera, Tarrega, Gasiorowski, Gaya; Lopez, Guerra, Barrenechea, Rioja; Duro
Real Betis possible starting lineup:
Silva; Sabaly, Llorente, Natan, Perraud; Altimira, Lo Celso; Ruibal, Losada, Ezzalzouli; Roque
We say: Valencia 1-2 Real Betis
Betis will be looking to pick up from where they left off after putting together a seven-game unbeaten run before the international break, and we think that they will continue their fine spell of form by claiming a narrow win over a Valencia side that have lost six of their 11 league games this season.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
