Elche vs Valencia prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-04-22 12:00.
It has long been a matter of time before Elche’s relegation from La Liga (LL) is confirmed, but the spectre of new infamy remains ever-present. They need seven more points to avoid being the first top-flight team this century to fall short of the 20-point watershed, but a current four-game losing streak in which they’ve scored just once has made that unwanted ‘accolade’ appear all the more possible.
Not even a battle-weary home crowd seems able to get through to the Franjiverdes either, with the hosts now winning just once in 14 home games this term. Late meltdowns have been a problem at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero lately, with Elche conceding an average of two goals per game beyond the hour mark across their last three home losses.
Sitting in the relegation zone as well, Valencia could soon be joining Elche as top-flight exiles unless they arrest a dire run of form that has delivered them fewer LL points than any other club in the new calendar year (W2, D2, L11). They haven’t yet lived up to the tag of pre-match favourites in away league games so far this campaign (W0, D1, L3), but with Rubén Baraja’s men beaten just once in the previous eight H2Hs, they could well change that here.
While this is the type of game Valencia must win to further extend 36 unbroken years of company amongst Spain’s elite, a run of eight straight LL away defeats still bodes poorly for the six-time champions. That includes six losses ‘to-nil’, while Los Che’s last equaliser after conceding first on hostile turf in league action dates back to early November.
Players to watch: He’s been a very naughty Boyé lately… Lucas Boyé, that is! The Elche forward has received four yellow cards from five appearances, despite recently returning from suspension, and seeks his first goal since early March. Prominent amongst Valencia’s South American contingent for better reasons is Edinson Cavani who netted a brace in October’s reverse clash (D 2-2), whilst all three of his goalscoring league games since then have also seen both teams on the scoresheet.
Hot stat: Ahead of the round, Valencia’s tally of seven goals conceded between the 46th and 60th minutes in away matches is a league high.