Valencia vs Betis prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-04-19 16:30.
[p]After a brace of 1-0 La Liga away wins, most recently against Osasuna following Ante Budimirâs botched penalty for the hosts, Valencia occupy a place in the top-seven, which could yet be enough for a UEFA Europa League place next term. Others have their eye on that prize, including their next opponents Real Betis, who they lead by just two points going into this clash.[/p]
[p]Los Ches will be glad to return home where theyâre unbeaten in La Liga since Real Sociedad beat them 1-0 in late September (W6, D5), a run that includes draws with leaders Real Madrid and Barcelona. They should have high hopes of something similar to last termâs 3-0 H2H win here, and expectation will only mount if they net first as they havenât conceded the opener in a league game at the Mestalla this calendar year (W4, D3).[/p]
[p]Last weekendâs 2-1 win over Celta Vigo was a welcome one for Betis as it ended a four-game losing run and, in another boost, key midfielder Marc Roca has this week returned to training. Challenges remain as Los Verdiblancos still have a long injury list, while speculation surrounding the future of manager Manuel Pellegrini is proving an unwelcome distraction from their pursuit of a top-six finish.[/p]
[p]The club say Pellegriniâs job is safe, but just a fourth league away win of the season (D6, L6) would do him no harm either, and not least because that would see them leapfrog Valencia and move closer to the top-six. Heâs actually won two of his last three visits to the Mestalla with Betis âto nilâ so he does at least have positive memories of coming here to draw upon.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: AndrĂ© Almeida netted the only goal in both of Valenciaâs last two fixtures, and his previous club goal before those two was the match-opener against Betis here last term (W 3-0). A welcome first strike of the season for Nabil Fekir helped Betis beat Celta and it extended his run of five consecutive goals after the 75th minute.[/p]
[p]Hot streak: Valencia have received two or fewer yellow cards in each of their last eight league fixtures (W3, D3, L2).[/p]