Both Valencia and Real Oviedo start this round in the bottom half, but for an Oviedo side who've lost a pre-round league-high five games this term, the issues run much deeper.
Match News and Current Form
Valencia boast a perfectly split record after six La Liga rounds (W2, D2, L2), but after throwing a 2-1 lead away deep into stoppage time to draw 2-2 against Espanyol in midweek, they’ll feel that the balance should be in favour of the win column. Carlos Corberán’s side have the chance to tip that balance once more here, and nine wins from their last 13 La Liga home games (D2, L2) would suggest they have a great chance of doing so. They do have a minor historical hurdle to overcome to stretch that record though, as only one of their last eight Monday-held La Liga home games ended in victory (D4, L3).
It’s been a tough start to life back in the top flight for Real Oviedo, who have lost five of their six league games so far and are justifying their pre-season tag as a relegation favourite. Oviedo can certainly point towards a difficult start as a contributing factor to their demise so far, as all five of their defeats came against sides who started this round in the top seven! The most recent of those came in midweek when they went down 3-1 against Barcelona despite taking the lead, and given that they’re yet to score an away league goal this term (L3), hitting the road is unlikely to stimulate a response.
Head-to-Head History
Valencia are unbeaten across the last nine H2Hs (W4, D5), but these two sides haven’t met since 2001. At home, Valencia have won seven of the last eight H2Hs (D1) and haven’t been beaten by Oviedo since 1988.
Win ProbabilityOpta by StatsPerform
Hot Stats and Streaks
Of the 18 goals scored in Valencia’s La Liga games this term, 78% have been netted after half-time.
None of Valencia’s six La Liga games this season saw more than one first-half goal scored.
Oviedo are the only La Liga team who haven’t scored a second-half goal this season.
A league-low one of Oviedo’s league games this season saw both teams score.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Arnaut Danjuma was on target in midweek for Valencia, netting his seventh goal from his last eight at club level to arrive before the hour mark. Alberto Reina netted his first-ever La Liga goal against Barcelona, with that defeat serving as a maiden loss in a career goalscoring appearance (W13, D3).
Valencia appear close to full-strength, whileNacho Vidal missed Oviedo’s midweek defeat with a hamstring injury.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
Given the contrasting fortunes of these sides, it would be unwise to back anything other than aValencia victory.
