Lille V Valencia
Wednesday 23 October 2019 – 20:00 Kick-Off
UEFA Champions League
Pick: Both Teams to Score
Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: WilliamHill
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7/4 | 23/10 | 33/20 |
* (All betting odds displayed were correct as of 20 October 2019 at 14:45)
Preview: The first of a double header between Lille and Valencia takes place in France firstly, with the hosts without a point after two rounds of games but usually very strong inside their Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
UEFA Champions League Betting – 22Bet
Lille Preview – Positive performance anticipated in search of first win?
Last season’s Ligue 1 runners-up are currently scrambling for any semblance of positivity, after Saturday’s 2-1 loss in Toulouse extended their run of matches without winning to four in all competitions (D2 L2), winning only one of their last seven (W1 D3 L3). No comfort can be taken from their efforts so far in this competition either, occupying last place in the group following pointless encounters versus Ajax (3-0) and Chelsea (1-2).
Put simply, Lille have to register a positive outcome in this fixture. Preferably a winning one, otherwise the coach, Christophe Galtier, has an enormous task on his hands guiding this team out of the group. The reality is indeed grim although also extremely harsh, on a side which caused Ajax countless problems in Amsterdam (xG: AJA 1.51 – 2.00 LIL) and were a match for Chelsea in France (xG: LIL 0.93 – 1.32 CHE).
The problem at present is the growing number of disappointing results, which is clearly impacting on the morale and confidence on this group of players. Even at home, results have tailed off having failed to win either of their previous two (D1 L1) – though the record at home for 2019/20 still makes for positive reading (W4 D1 L1), with four straight victories to begin the season a compelling reminder as to what this team are capable of producing.
Valencia Preview – Los Che to stretch unbeaten away run to four?
An enigmatic start to this competition from Valencia. The Spanish side would depart England in celebratory mood following a 1-0 win over Chelsea that they scarcely deserved, but were humbled soon after when thrashed 3-0 on home soil by Ajax. Those results place them second in the group, three points behind the Dutch outfit and as many points clear of Lille.
A second successive away win would be another significant step towards potential progression towards knockout football, and the fact Los Che are three competitive games without defeat on the road (W2 D1) has to be encouraging. The most recent of those was a very creditable 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid, while wins in Athletic Bilbao and, of course, Chelsea actually makes for very impressive form.
However, that success against Chelsea was, as already mentioned, fortuitous to say the least. Not only did their opponents spurn a penalty but they also created a host of other scoring opportunities (xG: CHE 2.87 – 0.91 VAL). It was a similar story against Ajax (xG VAL 2.04 – 1.55 AJA), as this Valencia defence continues to concede plenty of chances in this competition despite excelling on that front in La Liga – conceding one goal or fewer in three of their four away fixtures thus far.
Lille V Valencia Key Facts:
- Lille have lost one of six matches at home this season (W4 D1 L1), but that would come in this group against Chelsea (1-2).
- Valencia are unbeaten in their last three away matches (W2 D1), which includes beating Chelsea 1-0 in England on Matchday One.
- There have been four previous encounters between these two clubs, with Lille still searching for their first win (D1 L3).
Betting Summary
The French side need a positive result, and fast, if they are to keep themselves in contention for a top two finish in this group. Successive losses, to Ajax (3-0) and Chelsea (1-2), has put Lille firmly on the back foot. Unfortunately, recent form has nosedived as well, losing 2-1 whilst in league action at the weekend to Toulouse to make it no win in four (D2 L2). Their home form, however, has been much stronger on the whole: W4 D1 L1.
Just the one defeat in their previous seven matches for Valencia (W3 D3 L1), but that would come last time out in this very competition when thumped 3-0 at home by Ajax. A trip to Chelsea ended more favourably, winning 1-0, although it was a result which flattered them. Their overall away record this season reads W2 D1 L2, though they are currently unbeaten in the last three, earning a draw at Atletico Madrid on Saturday.
This has been a peculiar group, with results often not a fair reflection on the actual games themselves. What these teams have managed to consistently achieve is creating goalscoring chances, something that seems likely to continue here. Lille ideally need to win and have been strong at home this season, so the Even odds available with MoPlay on Lille DrawNoBet does appeal.
