Girona vs Valencia prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-02-04 15:15.
Following a narrow 1-0 loss to Barcelona last weekend, Girona have now won just one of their six competitive outings since the World Cup (D2, L3) including their Copa del Rey elimination at the hands of fourth-tier CP Cacereño. Their manager Míchel had no real complaints after losing to Barcelona’s superior high press, but just two points separate his men from the drop zone going into this weekend. That has renewed fears that Girona could become only the third La Liga (LL) newcomer to instantly drop after promotion during the 2020s.
Whilst Girona may start this weekend as one of just three clubs across Europe’s top-five leagues yet to earn a competitive clean sheet at home, their fans remain a crucial asset. That was the case during a run of five unbeaten LL matches here that preceded the Barcelona loss (W2, D3), results which have helped Girona claim 15 of their 21 points this season at Estadio Municipal de Montilivi.
Winners just once from their last 11 LL outings (D4, L6), Valencia sit one point behind their hosts after a 2-0 loss away to Real Madrid on Thursday. It was a dismal start to the most recent of Voro’s several stints as Valencia caretaker, but he has previously turned around dire situations – as was the case towards the end of Valencia’s near-disastrous 2007/08 campaign, when he contributed four vital wins towards a positive personal record as Los Che interim (W11, D3, L7).
With 36 years of unbroken top-flight presence on the line, Valencia have to address several key weaknesses to avoid any chance of a humiliating demotion. Amongst them is a recent penchant for dropping late points on hostile turf, which Los Che have done via goals after the 85th minute in three of their previous five LL away games.
Players to watch: Viktor Tsygankov is in line to make his debut for Girona, and he will hope to carry over a 100% win rate from goalscoring Ukrainian Premier Liga games built up earlier in 2022/23 (W5). As for Valencia striker Edinson Cavani, he has often led by example when getting onto the scoresheet lately, with his last five strikes coming before half-time and/or opening the scoring.
Hot stat: Girona have a joint league-high draw rate of 80% in the first half of home matches (HT: W1, D8, L1).