Valencia vs Getafe prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-03-08 13:00.
[p]Two of the most thrilling and memorable fixtures of an action-packed weekend featured Valencia and Getafe, both of whom played out high-scoring draws that did not particularly help their respective pushes for the top six. Valencia are two points ahead of Getafe with a game in hand and can ram home the advantage by extending their lead to five points with what would be a third successive home win over Getafe.[/p]
[p]They have every right to now be looking up the table after stringing together nine consecutive La Liga home games without defeat (W5, D4), taking points off of high-flyers Barcelona (D 1-1), Athletic Club (W 1-0) and most recently Real Madrid (D 2-2). It was yet another controversial Real visit to Mestalla in which some would argue they were lucky to escape with a point as Jude Bellingham headed home a split-second after the full-time whistle blew, though head coach Rubén Baraja was quick to identify that Real scored during what he considered a lengthy first-half stoppage time period.[/p]
[p]To maintain a reasonable distance from the top six and complete a league double over their next opponents, Getafe need to break a five-year pattern in which the visiting side of the day has not enjoyed victory in any of the 12 H2Hs across all competitions (D4, L8). They also need to improve the manner in which they close out games, having converted just one of their last four La Liga opening goals into wins (D3) after giving up a 3-1 lead at home to Las Palmas last weekend. [/p]
[p]That particular clash highlighted another ongoing issue that Getafe have grappled with throughout the season. They’ve been unable to evolve from a mid-table spectator into a top-six force because of an inability to defeat clubs who could consider themselves to be more genuine challengers. In fact, their 1-0 home win over Valencia in early December stands as one of just two La Liga wins against side starting this round in the top half of the table (D6, L7)![/p]
[p]Players to watch: Hugo Duro continues to be instrumental in giving Valencia a great start, scoring the opening goal in four of their last seven league games (W3, D1). On a similar note, four of Jaime Mata’s five goals for Getafe this season came before half-time.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Four of the last five H2Hs produced under 1.5 total goals.[/p]