Elche vs Valencia
23 October 1945hrs
Football – Italy – Serie A
Pick Elche
Bookmaker Boylesports
Odds: 12/5 odds taken 2000 GMT, Thursday 22 October
Elche and Valencia are locked together on seven points but it’s the home team who are in better form coming into this and looking to go clear of their opponents.
Table of Contents
Elche Preview – Can Elche improve on what is already a very decent return to the Spanish top-flight?
It’s been a really promising return to La Liga for Elche as they returned for the first time in five years. It looked like it may be a long season for them when losing 3-0 at home to Real Sociedad but that remains the only defeat and they have bounced back strongly. Away wins against Eibar and Alaves either side of a draw at home to fellow promoted outfit Huesca.
Since losing the three goals to the current league leaders in their opening game, Elche have kept three successive clean sheets. That will delight their head coach Jorge Almiron who only took over in August and is coaching in La Liga for the first time.
Valencia Preview – Are Valencia set to bounce back from recent disappointments or will it be further misery?
If you had to sum up Valencia in one word then anything other than crisis would be wide of the mark. The off the field issues which were apparent last season have just accelerated during the summer and into the start of this campaign. Key players have been sold off by the owners as they try to downsize and the appointment of Javi Gracia has been shambolic as the coach attempts to find a way out of his contract.
You can only imagine the impact all of these off the field issues have on the players who remain and recent performances suggest that impact is only getting worse.
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To their credit, Valencia did manage to pick up a couple of wins in their opening matches – beating Levante at home and then inflicting defeat on Real Sociedad three games later. You would think that match would breed some confidence but consecutive defeats against Betis and Villareal have pulled them back down the table.
No team has played more than them either which will be sobering considering the games they have coming up. Valencia face both Madrid clubs over the next month and will be hoping for some optimism heading into those games.
Elche vs Valencia Betting Advice
The two teams may be level on points but they are experiencing contrasting fortunes at the moment. Elche are riding the crest of a wave following promotion whilst the fact that relegation is even being talked about in relation to the visitors shows just how critical things are at the club just now.
Some encouragement for Valencia and their coach Gracia comes in the shape of their record against Elche. They have won the last three in this fixture.
Key Facts – Elche vs Valencia Betting Tip
- Elche have lost just one of their first four games this season following winning promotion from Segunda
- Valencia have lost three of their last five and appear to be descending into further crisis
- It’s the visitors who have won the last three times these teams have played including a 4-0 last time
The reputation of both teams is factored into the pricing of this game. Elche are in far better form just now and it does seem as if Valencia are beginning their roll down a very big hill. As such, I’m happy to take the price on the home team to continue their excellent start.
Best Betting Odds for Elche vs Valencia
Elche: to win: 13/10 Betfair
Draw: 11/5 at Betfair
Valencia: 23/10 at Betfair
