Valencia vs Espanyol Prediction & Betting Tips (24 January)

17th and close to relegation, Valencia finds itself in great danger. We can, however, mention the very good operation carried out at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez in Getafe last weekend with a short success, but oh so important 0-1. A success which follows the qualification for the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey, obtained a few days earlier on the Burgos turf 0-2. In the league, the Ché club had not won for 6 days including 3 draws at home for the receptions of Elche 1-1, Mallorca 1-1 and Sevilla 1-1. For their part, the Pericos are virtually qualified for the Europa League by being 5th. The Catalans, however, seem to be running out of steam, as evidenced by their last three appearances in La Liga.

Two defeats without even managing to score against FC Barcelona 0-2 and last weekend for the reception of another Catalan team, Girona 0-2. In the meantime, Mr. Gonzalez's men took a single point on the Levante pitch 1-1. The race for the top 4 for the Champions League now seems a lost cause, however, the ultimate objective of the Espanyol players will be to maintain this fifth position. 

During the trip to Getafe last weekend, left back and captain José Gaya (only scorer of the match) received a yellow card, one too many which will send him to the suspended bench today, alongside Hugo Duro (6 goals in La Liga), excluded by being off the field (probably 2 or even 3 suspension matches). In addition, central Tarrega left prematurely due to injury and could remain in treatment. He joins Dani Raba, right-back Correia, starting goalkeeper Agirrezabala and central M.Diakhaby (ex-Lyon), all injured. Offensively, C.Corberan can once again rely on Umar Sadiq, permanently signed from Real Sociedad. No El Hilali today, suspended for accumulation of yellow cards.

Terrible news also for captain Javi Puado, suffering from a ruptured cruciate ligament and absent until the end of the season. These are the only two absences to report for Manolo Gonzalez. Pere Milla (6 goals in La Liga), Fernandez and Carlos Romero (4 goals, 2 assists each in La Liga) or Dolan or Kike Garcia (ex-Alaves) will be traveling to Mestalla. The probable line-ups for FC Valencia - Espanyol Barcelona: Valencia: Dimitrievski - Foulquier, Cömert, Copete, Vazquez - Pepelu, Urgrinic - Rioja, Almeida, Beltran - Sadiq.Espanyol Barcelona: Dmitrovic - Ruben, Calero, Cabrera, Romero - U.Gonzalez, Lozano - Dolan, Exposito, Milla - Fernandez.