Valencia - Granada CF predictions and free betting tips [05/11/2023]

On Sunday, 5th November, as part of the 12th round of the Spanish Primera, Valencia will take on Granada at their home ground. In the Copa del Rey last week, Los Che emerged victorious over UD Logrones with a 0:2 scoreline, while Granada took out Arosa with a 0:3 victory, thereby ending a streak of eight matches without a win.

Predicted Line-up

Valencia: Mamardashvili; Correia, Mosquera, Paulista, Gaya; Perez, Pepelu, Guerra, Amallah; D. Lopez, Yaremchuk.  
Granada: Ferreira; R. Sanchez, Mikel, Torrente, Neva; Villar, Gumbau; Puertas, Saragosa, Uzuni; Boye.  

Stadium

The match will take place in Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium.

Valencia

After two very tough seasons, Valencia has regained its previous form this campaign, which has allowed it to sit in the top half of the league table in ninth place, trailing by three points from the top six Spanish teams. However, the Valencia team’s goal difference is not impressive: 14 against 13. Following four matches without a win, Los Che finally delighted fans with a victory over Cadiz with a score of 2:0 after the international break, and last week they shared points with Athletic Bilbao (2:2). This week, the Yellow and Orange had no trouble against Logrones in the Copa del Rey (0:2). Last season, Valencia only managed to secure 16th place in La Liga - their worst final position in the league since their relegation at the end of the 1985-86 season.

Mouctar Diakhaby, who sustained a thigh injury, will miss this round. The same could apply to Andre Almeida (2 goals, 4 assists in the championship last season), Alberto Mari (muscle injury) and Jesus Vazquez (neuromotor problems). Forward Hugo Duro, who scored another decisive goal against Athletic last week, has proven himself as a real team's attacking leader: he has five La Liga goals this season already, however, the forward injured his shoulder recently and is likely to spend the following weeks in the infirmary. In midfield, we should await the presence of Javi Gerra (3 goals) and Diego Lopez (2 goals). The absence of Duro will most probably provide opportunities for Roman Yaremchuk in attack: the Ukrainian led the line against Logrones in the Copa del Rey.

Granada

Granada, in turn, will need to roll up their sleeves in the next few months if they do not wish to fall back into the Segunda from whence they came fairly recently. The Red and Whites have only earned 6 points in 11 rounds and are likely in deep crisis: 8 consecutive matches without a win, including five defeats. Additionally, last week the Andalusians were defeated by Osasuna (2:0) and Villarreal (2:3). The Yellow Submarine was leading by three goals in the first half but their opponent managed to score twice through Sanchez and Uzuni’s efforts. On Thursday evening, the visitors headed to the Copa del Rey at Arosa, whom they defeated with little trouble with a scoreline of 0:3. It should be noted that Granada has conceded 28 goals this season, which is the second-worst defence record after Almeria (31 goals).

After Valencia, the visitors will play Getafe at home, and then will have a 2 week wait until the match with Alaves. Argentine striker Lucas Boye (3 goals) and midfielder Gumbau, who were both suspended last week, will be able to take the field tomorrow evening. However, Real Madrid loanee centre-back Jesus Vallejo (relapse), his defensive partner Miguel Rubio, and backup goalkeeper Raul Fernandez are still recovering in the hospital. The starting line-up may see appearances from Albanian player Uzuni (4 goals) and young Brian Saragosa (5 goals in La Liga): the former will move to the flank of the attack while the Spaniard will operate as a false nine.

Head-to-Head

Valencia won 3:1 at the Mestalla in the 2021-22 season, while the last win for Granada against Los Che was recorded in December 2020 - 2:1.  

Match Prediction: Valencia - Granada

Granada has been experiencing tremendous defensive problems this season, which resulted in the team not having won a La Liga match since the end of August. It will be quite challenging for the visitors to compete for points on their trip to Mestalla, considering the current form of the team. Valencia, if successful, could close the gap to the Europa League candidates, meaning they can't afford to stumble against an outsider on home turf. My forecast asserts the hosts will take the win.   

Total Prediction

As previously mentioned, Granada has let in 28 goals in 11 rounds – almost three per game on average. I expect at least two goals from the hosts.