Valencia vs Girona prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-09-20 16:30.
[p]It’s been a desperate start to the La Liga season for Valencia, who are propping up the table after a 3-0 defeat at Atlético Madrid. It’s the first time since 2018/19 that Los Ches have failed to win any of their first five league matches, but boss Rubén Baraja will be keen to point out the difficulty of their fixtures, with this clash against Girona set to already be their fifth against teams that finished in last season’s top-eight![/p]
[p]That could go some way to explaining their 12-match winless run in La Liga (D3, L9), which ominously includes a 3-1 defeat in last season’s corresponding fixture back in May. That forms part of a seven-game sequence without a victory in the league at Mestalla for Valencia (D3, L4), so the home faithful are unlikely to be too confident here.[/p]
[p]Visitors Girona may not be too bullish either after a bruising week against two of Europe’s heavyweights. First, they were thumped 4-1 by Catalan rivals Barcelona before suffering heartbreak on their UEFA Champions League debut by conceding in the 90th minute to lose 1-0 against PSG, though in truth they were second-best all evening, facing 26 goal attempts while mustering up just three in response. [/p]
[p]Things were always likely to be tougher for Girona after last season’s heroics, and so it’s proved with their six competitive matches thus far producing just two wins (D1, L3). Michel’s men can take heart from the fact they’ve lost just one of their last six league away matches though (W3, D2), as well as boasting a three-match winning H2H streak.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Valencia midfielder Pepelu could be his side’s driving force amid an injury crisis in forward areas. He scored eight times last season – including in this fixture – all from the penalty spot! Girona stalwart Cristhian Stuani has netted five times previously against Valencia – his last six goals for the club all came beyond the 65th minute.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Six of the eight H2Hs between these sides were level at half-time.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Ryan Fisher[/i][/p]