Valencia vs Betis: Spanish Championship Match Prediction

Current form

As the region continues to recover from last month’s catastrophic floods, Valencia will be hoping to provide fans with something to smile about when they finally return to action. The terrible weather that has swept across the region has led to two league games being postponed and means Los Ches have not played since a 1-1 draw with Getafe in late October. Combined with a poor start to the campaign and a dearth of games, Ruben Baraja’s side have emerged from the enforced break bottom of the La Liga table.

Disqualifications and injuries

Diakhaby (knee injury), Domenech (muscle injury), Gaja (muscle injury), Pepelu (red card) and Mir (muscle injury) will not be able to play today.

Interesting trends for betting

• Six of the eight head-to-head meetings between these teams ended in a draw at half-time
• Valencia are the only team in La Liga yet to pick up a point after conceding their first goal of the season
• Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili may not be too excited about the prospect of facing Betis, against whom he has kept just one clean sheet in six attempts

Estimated lineup: Mamardashvili - Vazquez, Tarrega, Garciorovsky, Correa - Almeida, Guillaumont, Roubaud, Tejon - Diakhaby.

Current form

The Betts have lost just one of their last nine home games. The visitors also travel on the back of a seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions, but they have been far from convincing throughout that run, with only one of those wins decided by more than a goal. Manager Manuel Pellegrini will be hoping his side return refreshed as they continue to hunt for a top-six finish. The Green and Whites enter this round just a point off seventh place, but further progress could depend on an improvement in away form.

Disqualifications and injuries

Carvalho (muscle injury), Joni Cardroso (muscle injury), Isco (leg injury) and Bellerin (bruise) will not be able to play.

Interesting trends for betting

• Giovani Lo Celso has scored first or last in each of his four goalscoring games since joining Betis in the summer
• Beticos have scored in each of their six home top-flight games this season
• The visitors have won just one of their last eight away games this year.

Probable line-up: Silva - Sabally, Nathan, Llorente, Perro - Ruibal, Bartra, Fekir, Fornals, Roca - Juanmi.