Valencia are a cut above Tuesday’s Champions League opponents Lille and they can take care of the French side with ease in Spain.
Having both started with defeats the clash at the Mestalla is crucial for each but their reversals on matchday one were achieved in very different circumstances and the hosts should bounce back with three points.
Valencia were beaten 2-1 by last season’s losing finalists Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena a fortnight ago and there was certainly no disgrace in going down narrowly to the Bundesliga leaders.
In contrast, Lille were outplayed by BATE Borisov, losing 3-1 in front of their own fans, and they have been in woeful form this term.
It is six matches without a win in Ligue 1 since an opening day triumph at Saint-Etienne and Lille are currently languishing in fifteenth place in the French top flight.
It has been a real struggle for coach Rudi Garcia and his players this time around and Lille made hard work of qualifying for the Champions League group stage, requiring extra time to get the better of FC Copenhagen over two legs having lost the away match in Denmark.
In fact, it is now no wins in four matches on their travels and Lille were beaten 2-0 by Rennes on Friday night in their latest outing.
While Tuesday’s away team are yet to find their stride this term Valencia remain as formidable as ever on home turf and they have plundered seven goals in three La Liga matches in front of their own fans to date, picking up seven points in the process.
Mauricio Pellegrino’s side have proven they can get it done in Europe down the years too, semi-finalists in the Europa League last season, and they rarely fail to give their true running.
Having thrashed Genk and Bayer Leverkusen in this competition last season in the group stage, in addition to holding eventual winners Chelsea to a 1-1 draw, Valencia were hampered by poor away form which saw them drop into Europe’s second tier tournament.
However, Stoke (1-0), PSV (4-2) and AZ Alkmaar (4-0) were all swept aside in the knockout stage before Valencia lost to Atletico Madrid in the last four and they can be irresistible on their day.
At 1.70 with William Hill, Valencia rate as terrific value to get the win they crave and it could be fairly comfortable if getting off to a fast start.
In Spain striker Roberto Soldado they have just the man to fire them into an early lead and it could be a very long night indeed for Lille.
3pts Back Valencia (vs. Lille) @ 1.70 (William Hill)