Valencia – Elche : Preview & Prediction
Despite posting their best record in the first eight games of a LaLiga Santander (LL) campaign since 2017-18, when they finished fourth, Valencia are still lacking consistency and are one of two clubs in the top half of the table who have yet to record back-to-back wins at the start of this round of fixtures. The visit of bottom-placed Elche, still without a win in the current campaign, offers a great opportunity for Los Ches to string together victories in a clash between two teams separated by 11 points.
With a 2-1 win over Osasuna at El Sadar last weekend – the fourth of their last five LL games with at least one sending-off – Valencia maintained their winning streak in league games in which they have gone into half-time ahead this season (G4). The che side, who overwhelmed Getafe (5-1) and Celta Vigo (3-0) in their last two games at the Mestalla, also remain unbeaten and favourites in the current campaign (G3, E1).
In their first game after Francisco’s departure, Elche took the lead after 15 minutes against Mallorca, but ended up with just a point (1-1) and became the tenth LL team in this century to fail to win any of their first eight games (E2, P6). Los franjiverdes failed to take an early lead for the second match in a row, but at least they went into half-time with the score in their favour for the first time in the current campaign, a positive considering that 13 of Elche’s 19 goals conceded in LL 2022-23 have been scored in the first half.
Mestalla, an unfavourable venue for Elche: Elche have been defeated on all four of their visits to Valencia in the 21st century, despite conceding in three of them. If Elche do not add to their poor goalscoring output – they have not scored more than one goal in any of their eight LL games – they will need to put in a strong defensive performance to have any chance of winning the derby and picking up three much-needed points. The clash at Mestalla will mark the debut of Argentinian coach Jorge Almiron, who begins his second spell in charge of Elche, and it is worth noting that Almiron’s last win as Elche coach came against Valencia.
Players to watch: In his first full game in LL 2022-23, midfielder André Almeida scored the third of Valencia’s three goals against Celta in the last meeting at Mestalla. Marcos André (suspended) and Samu Castillejo, a doubt for the derby, were the other two goalscorers against Celta. Lucas Boyé, scorer of Elche’s only away goal of the season (Rayo 2-1 Elche, matchday 7), also scored Elche’s only goal on their last visit to the home ground.
Key stat: Valencia have been held to a draw in five of their last six LL games without defender Mouctar Diakhaby (G1, E3, P2), who will miss this derby through suspension.
Valencia – Elche : Betting Tips
Valencia – Win Odds: 1.55
