Valencia vs Alaves Preview: Team News & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Valencia are badly struggling down at the bottom end of the table and a relegation that has been coming now appears to be in the post as they welcome Deportivo Alaves down to Mestalla.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 22nd December, 2024: UK – 1:00pm / US ET – 8:00am / US PT – 5:00am
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Valencia vs Alaves may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Valencia Preview: Pressure on Valencia
The flooding that hit Valencia means they have had games called off and they played one of their catch up matches in midweek. However, they were left frustrated once again as they shared a 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Espanyol in Catalonia the other day.
That comes off the back of suffering a 1-0 loss to Real Valladolid at Estadio Jose Zorrilla last weekend in a game in which Anuar scored the only goal of the game after around 20 minutes. That saw Valladolid leapfrog Valencia and leave Los Che rock-bottom in La Liga.
Alaves Preview: Finding the new manager bounce
Deportivo Alaves took the bizarre and heavily criticised decision to sack Luis Garcia Plaza earlier this month, replacing him with former Celta Vigo boss Eduardo Coudet. He is yet to win, though, after beginning his reign with three successive draws ahead of the weekend.
The visitors come into this one on the back of a 1-1 draw with a strong Athletic Club side in a Basque derby at the Mendizorroza last weekend. Unai Gomez gave Athletic an early lead in that game before Joan Jordan scored a 67th minute equaliser for Alaves.
Valencia Team News: Key doubts
The excellent Giorgi Mamardashvili is a key injury doubt for Valencia this weekend with a knee issue, whilst club captain Jose Luis Gaya has also tweaked his hamstring. Mouctar Diakhaby remains sidelined alongside Thierry Correia and Rafa Mir.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Dimitrievski; Foulquier, Carlos Tarrega, Cristhian Mosquera, Luis Rioja; Barrenechea, Pepelu; Fran Perez, Almeida, Diego Lopez; Hugo Duro
Unavailable: Correia (Injured), Diakhaby (Injured), Rafa Mir (Injured)
Questionable: Mamardashvili (Injured), Jose Luis Gaya (Injured)
Alaves Team News: Tenaglia suspension
Alaves are still searching for the first La Liga win of the Eduardo Coudet reign and the attacking coach is now dealing with a suspension to key defender Nahuel Tenaglia for this one with Carlos Benavidez also a key injury doubt, too.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Antonio Sivera; Sedlar, Abqar, Santiago Mourino, Diarra; Antonio Blanco, Joan Jordan; Carlos Vicente, Jon Guridi, Carlos Martin; Kike
Unavailable: Tenaglia (Suspended)
Questionable: Carlos Benavidez (Injured)
Valencia vs Alaves Prediction
There are protests against owner Peter Lim continuing but they don’t appear to be coming to fruition with Valencia once again battling against the drop. They do, though, appear to have less fight and less quality than they have had in recent seasons and do appear destined for the second-tier. Alaves will head to Mestalla still trying to become a bit more proactive under Eduardo Coudet. This is a huge game for both sides and could be quite entertaining for the neutral as a result.
Valencia vs Alaves Tip: Both teams to score
