Valladolid – Girona : Preview & Prediction
In one of the biggest surprises last Saturday in Europe’s top leagues, Real Valladolid stormed the Estadio de la Cerámica and downed Villarreal 2-1, extending their margin above the LaLiga Santander (LL) relegation zone to five points. Under Paulo Pezzolano (G1, E1), the Puebla side has scored as many goals as in the final seven matches with Pacheta at the helm.
However, the Blanquivioletas have yet to correct the defensive problems that led to a 6-0 defeat at the hands of Real Madrid in Pacheta’s last game. With the goal conceded at Villarreal, Valladolid have now gone eight consecutive matches without a clean sheet (G2, E2, P4), having conceded more than one goal in the second 45 minutes in the last three matches drawn or lost.
In contrast to the vulnerability of their hosts, Girona have kept two clean sheets in two games. After not conceding a goal in their visit to Barcelona (0-0) -the red-and-white team had failed to do so in their five previous duels against the Azulgranas-, Míchel’s team got rid of Elche (2-0). Five points off seventh place (a potential Europa Conference League spot) after 29 rounds, Girona can link three clean sheets in LL for the first time since March 2018.
Prior to the derby against the leaders at Camp Nou, Girona had conceded at least one goal in all of their league outings this season, conceding two or more in the four prior to the visit to the Azulgrana coliseum (G1, E1, P2). In the two defeats suffered during that series, the Girona side conceded the first goal in the opening 15 minutes, something that has happened to them on four occasions on the road.
Players to watch: Selim Amallah broke the deadlock for Valladolid after 120 seconds in the win over Villarreal. A day later, Taty Castellanos opened the scoring and the scoring for Girona against Elche; two of the Argentine striker’s last three goals have been headers to make it 1-0.
Key stat: Valladolid are the only team in the current league that has yet to score or concede a goal in the opening 15 minutes of a home game.
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Valladolid – Girona : Betting Tips
BTS/YES Odds: 2.25
