Valencia are set to take on Girona in La Liga on Saturday, 21 September with the host still desperately searching for their first win of the new season.
Valencia have only picked up one point from their opening five games of the season in a run of form that has left Ruben Baraja in danger of losing his job.
Facing them on Saturday are a Girona side that have picked up seven points from their first five games of the season.
How the bookies view it: Girona go in as favourites
Given how poorly Valencia are playing at the minute it is no surprise that they are considered the underdogs for this one, even if the game is being played at the Metsalla. Betfred have priced a home win at 15/8 while a win for Girona has been priced at 7/5. The draw, which would at least be a step in the right direction for Valencia, has been priced at 12/5.
Recent head-to-head: Advantage Girona
Since Girona's promotion to La Liga in 2022, the two clubs have faced each other on four separate occasions. Out of those four meetings, Girona have won three and Valencia have won one – a 1-0 win a the Mestalla in August 2022. Girona are currently in the midst of a three-match winning streak against Valencia and won 3-1 at the Mestalla at the end of last season.
Players to watch: Hoping for a Georgian masterclass
With their forwards misfiring and their main striker now injured, Valencia need a big performance from their defence on Saturday and targeting a clean sheet could be their best hope of picking up points from the match.
As a result, a big performance is needed from the man between the sticks, Giorgi Mamardashvili. The Georgian goalkeeper is back on loan at the club after signing for Liverpool in the summer but he is expected to play for the Reds next season, making this final year in Valencia.
Given he has the club to thank for his breakthrough in European football, Mamardashvili will be doing everything he can to ensure his final season at the club doesn't end in disaster and relegation is very much on the cards right now. The 23-year-old is yet to keep a clean sheet this season but now would be a fantastic time to get one.
Predicted line-ups
Valencia are without five players due to injuries for this one with Hugo Duro and Jose Gaya two of their biggest absentees. Rafa Mir is also unavailable as he has been suspended by the club. Girona are without Ricard Artero and Justin Garcia due to injury and rotation is expected after playing in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Valencia: Mamardashvili – Foulquier, Tarrega, Mosquera, Correia – Guillamon, Lopez, Pepelu, Canos – Guerra, Gomez
Girona: Gazzaniga – Frances, D Lopez, Blind, Gutierrez – Solis, Martin – Gil, Tsyhankov, Danjuma – Ruiz
Anything else catch the eye?
Both matches this season ended with more than three goals being scored while six of the ten La Liga matches that both teams have played in so far this season have also produced three or more goals. Over 2.5 goals to be scored on Saturday has been priced at 10/11 by Betfred.
This La Liga match between Valencia and Girona will be played on Sep 21, 2024 and kick off at 17:30. Check below for our tipsters best Valencia vs Girona prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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