Competition: La Liga
Market: Valencia win
Odds: 7/10 @ 888sport
Looking to sign off their 2021 run with a flurry on home soil, a high-flying Valencia will welcome Espanyol to the Mestalla on Friday afternoon.
Starting with the hosts. while Valencia might have been dealing with a string of issues over the past couple of years, the Bats are in the midst of what has become a hugely impressive run of form. Last seen on December 20th when claiming what was an action-packed 4-3 victory against Levante on the road, José Bordalás’ squad have received plenty of praise from across Spain this season. With their sights firmly set on trying to bring European football back to the Mestalla, Valencia have now won each of their last five matchups across all formats. Smelling a golden chance to lay down another marker when they return from their brief break on Friday afternoon, it should also be noted that the former Getafe boss finds his side enjoying an extended nine-match unbeaten run across all formats, a run that stems back to October 27th.
As for the visitors, while Espanyol might have also impressed many across Spain since making their La Liga return over the summer, Vicente Moreno’s men have struggled with their consistency. Last seen heading into their brief festive break getting hit with a deserved 3-1 loss against Celta Vigo on the road, Periquitos have won just a trio of their last nine top-flight matchups, a run that stems back to the middle of October. Knowing that they should face another stern test when they make the trip to the Mestalla here, Moreno should also have a real headache over his side’s worrying problems outside of Barcelona. Including four straight La Liga defeats on the road, it should also be noted that Friday’s guests have remarkably failed to land an away victory throughout the 2021/22 campaign.
Bet: Valencia 7/10 to beat Espanyol in Friday’s L Liga contest @ 888sport
