Valencia vs Girona Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Valencia are not yet safe from relegation after collapsing once again as Los Che now welcome a steady and mid-table Girona side to Mestalla on Saturday evening.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / US – ESPN+
Valencia preview: Frustrating Valencians
Former West Bromwich Albion boss Carlos Corberan has been under pressure pretty much throughout the campaign but Valencia appeared to have clinched safety a few weeks ago before collapsing once again of late.
Los Che did manage to rescue a 1-1 draw with Real Mallorca the other day via an Umar Sadiq equaliser but that point means that they have managed just one victory in their last five matches in La Liga.
Girona preview: Steady Catalans
After a very difficult start to life in La Liga, Girona have been much-improved as the season has gone on as they push into the middle-of-the-table and now just three points outside of the top eight and the potential European spots ahead of the match day.
Girona did succumb to a topsy turvy and entertaining 3-2 loss to Real Betis at Montilivi last weekend, with Viktor Tsygankov and Azzedine Ounahi’s goals rendered meaningless due to strikes from Marc Roca, Abde Ez and Rodrigo Riquelme.
Valencia team news: Defensive injuries
Valencia have a remarkable list of defensive injuries as goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala remains sidelined alongside Mouctar Diakhaby, Jose Manuel Copete and Dimitri Foulquier; while Eray Comert is a doubt alongside Unai Nunez and Thierry Correia.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Dimitrievski; Ruben Iranzo, Pepelu, Cesar Tarrega, Jose Luis Gaya; Diego Lopez, Ugrinic, Rodriguez, Ramazani; Beltran, Sadiq
Unavailable: Julen Agirrezabala (Injured), Diakhaby (Injured), Copete (Injured), Foulquier (Injured)
Questionable: Comert (Injured), Unai Nunez (Injured), Correia (Injured)
Girona team news: Still no Vanat
Girona's top scorer Vladyslav Vanat is still sidelined due to a hamstring injury and he is unavailable alongside fellow attackers Portu and Abel Ruiz.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Paulo Gazzaniga; Arnau Martinez, Reis, Blind, Alex Moreno; Beltran, Witsel, Ivan Martin; Tsygankov, Echeverri, Ounahi
Unavailable: Juan Carlos (Injured), Ter Stegen (Injured), Van de Beek (Injured), Portu (Injured), Abel Ruiz (Injured), Vanat (Injured)
Questionable:
Valencia vs Girona prediction
Off-field issues have majorly affected a very inconsistent and frustrated Valencia side. The hosts remain in the battle against the drop at Mestalla. Girona have begun to rediscover their entertaining style of football that has been so impressive previously under Michel and they have to remain slight favourites here, albeit they can’t necessarily be trusted too much to be tight defensively.
Valencia vs Girona tip: Girona to win & both teams to score
