Valencia will be bidding to continue their impressive run of form in Spain’s top flight when they travel to Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero on Saturday afternoon to take on Elche.
Los Che are currently ninth in the La Liga table, 10 points behind sixth-placed Real Sociedad, while Elche occupy 14th position, eight points clear of the relegation zone.
Elche finished 17th on their return to Spain’s top flight last season, but they are more comfortable in the La Liga table at this moment in time, currently sitting 14th, eight points clear of the relegation zone.
Los Franjiverdes are far from certain of a spot in La Liga for next season but will fancy their chances of avoiding the drop from this position, and they are only actually three points behind 10th-placed Celta Vigo at this stage.
Elche have struggled for consistency in the league in recent weeks but will enter this match off the back of a victory, beating Granada 1-0 on March 12 courtesy of a first-half goal from Fidel.
Francisco’s side have been impressive in front of their own supporters this season, winning five, drawing five and losing just three of their 13 matches, which should leave them full of confidence ahead of this match.
Elche also beat Valencia 2-1 in the corresponding match last season, but they have lost their last two matches against Los Che, including a 2-1 reverse when the pair locked horns at Mestalla back in December.
Elche finished 17th on their return to Spain’s top flight last season, but they are more comfortable in the La Liga table at this moment in time, currently sitting 14th, eight points clear of the relegation zone.
Los Franjiverdes are far from certain of a spot in La Liga for next season but will fancy their chances of avoiding the drop from this position, and they are only actually three points behind 10th-placed Celta Vigo at this stage.
Elche have struggled for consistency in the league in recent weeks but will enter this match off the back of a victory, beating Granada 1-0 on March 12 courtesy of a first-half goal from Fidel.
Francisco’s side have been impressive in front of their own supporters this season, winning five, drawing five and losing just three of their 13 matches, which should leave them full of confidence ahead of this match.
Elche also beat Valencia 2-1 in the corresponding match last season, but they have lost their last two matches against Los Che, including a 2-1 reverse when the pair locked horns at Mestalla back in December.
A record of 37 points from 28 matches has left Valencia in ninth position in the table, three points behind eighth-placed Athletic Bilbao, but they are 10 points off sixth-placed Real Sociedad, so a European finish this season is extremely unlikely.
Bordalas’s side have a mixed record on their travels in La Liga this season, winning four, drawing four and losing six of their 14 matches to collect 16 points, which is five fewer than they have gathered at home.
Valencia have a relatively kind fixture list between now and the end of the campaign, and they are certainly well-placed to improve on last season’s disappointing 13th-place finish in Spain’s top flight.
Elche La Liga form:
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Valencia La Liga form:
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Valencia form (all competitions):
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We say: Elche 1-2 Valencia
Valencia’s recent form has been impressive, and we have a feeling that Los Che will pick up another three points this weekend. Elche lost their last home game against Barcelona, and Valencia certainly have enough quality to triumph at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero.