Real Madrid vs Valencia

23/3- Real Madrid are on top of the points table in La liga but their form is the worst it has ever been this season out of their 6 defeats in la liga this season 4 have come in the last 10 matches played by them and they have only been able to win 4 matches in the last 10 played which is a very bad statistics for a team of this calibre. This week they play hosts to another team that is performing pathetically in comparison to the way it performed in the beginning of the season, Valencia. Valencia are currently placed on the 10^th position on the points table and they have been able to manage 2 wins in their last 10 matches where as they have lost 5 and drawn the remaining three. The last time both these teams faced each other Real Madrid while playing away from home were able to register a 1-5 victory and they would hope to repeat the performance in front of their home crowd this time as well. A brief look at the head to head records would show that Real Madrid have been the dominant side and have won 16 of the 29 matches played between the sides in the last 15 years while Valencia have managed to win only 7 times. Also while playing at home real Madrid have only lost one match this season and they would not like that tally increase.

Both teams would be down on confidence as they faced defeats in their previous matches as Real Madrid lost to Deportivo in an away match while Valencia conceded 2 goals to Sevilla at home and lost with a 0-2 score line. Real would like to get the maximum points from this match and strengthen their hold on the title this year as well.

Prediction: 2-0, Real Win

Valencia vs Sevilla

15/3- Valencia have been the most unpredictable team in the Spanish competition and this team placed on the 10^th position gets ready to take on the sixth placed Sevilla this weekend. Valencia would be playing at home but looking at their record at home this season it can be said that they are on the wrong end as they have been the worst team when it comes to performances while playing at home. While Sevilla are fighting for the 4^th spot on the points table and a creditable finish this season, Valencia would be hoping to finish the season in the top half of the table. In their last match played earlier this season Sevilla were able to beat Valencia 3-0 while playing at home and hence they might hold a slight advantage over their opponents as they get into this match. However the overall record between both the sides in the past 15 years suggests that Valencia, traditionally has been the stronger team and of the 23 matches played they have managed to win 13 matches while there have been 4 draws.

Valencia have not been in the best of forms over the last ten matches and their record in recent performances can be considered to be below average. In the last 10 matches the side has played they have been able to win only twice while they have lost 4 and drawn 4. They come into this match after they were held to a 1-1 draw last week by a lower ranked Deportivo La Coruna in a home tie.

Sevilla on the other hand have been in great form and have managed to win 6 of the last 10 matches played and have lost just thrice. They come into the match after they were able to beat Levante while playing at home last week and would like to continue their winning performance.

Prediction: 1-2, Sevilla win

Valencia vs Deportivo La Coruna

9/3- Valencia have been highly inconsistent this season and hence after a great start they are struggling to maintain their position in the top half of the table. This week they get prepared to take on Deportivo La Coruna at home. Deportivo on the other hand have been in prime form and have paved their way out of the relegation zone and are currently on the 17^th position and are a point above the relegation zone. In the last match played between both the sides that was played earlier this season Valencia managed a 2-4 away victory but a look at the overall records would suggest that Deportivo have been the dominating team of the two and they have won 13 of the 29 matches played between the sides in the last 15 years while Valencia have managed victories in only 12 matches and the remaining 4 matches have been drawn. Both teams have been better in their performances away from home and hence Deportivo might hold a better chance in this tie.

If looked by current form Deportivo still are the better side as they have won 5 of their last 10 matches while Valencia have only managed to win twice in their last 10 matches. Deportivo come into this match after two straight weeks with victories, they managed to beat a strong opponent in Sevilla last week in a home tie and hence would be quite confident about their chances of winning in this tie. Valencia on the other hand come home for this tie after they lost against Espanyol in an away tie. Valencia are probably missing their best striker Morientes and in his absence one of the players would have to stand up to get the side a win. The match would be an evenly fought contest and individual brilliance would determine the result of the contest.

Prediction: 1-2, Deportivo win

Espanyol vs Valencia

1/3- The last three weeks have been dreadful for Espanyol as they have been handed three consecutive defeats and are currently placed on the sixth position, they would be eager to get back to winning ways and in this attempt would be taking on 9^th placed Valencia in the match of the weekend in the Spanish Laliga. While Espanyol enter this after back to back defeats Valencia would be travelling for this match after back to back draws and would be hoping to make the most out of the slip in form of the home side. Earlier this season Espanyol had managed to defeat Valencia in an away tie with a 1-2 score line but the now the forms have reversed and Valencia would be keen on taking revenge. Looking at the overall record also Espanyol have been the dominant side but on current form Valencia look to be more threatening.

The home team would be under quite some pressure and would be hoping that the big players like Tamudo and Garcia can finally fire and bring in the three points or else the club might slip even further and their chances of making it to the European competition next season might as well diminish. Their last win was against Getafe in an away tie nearly a month ago and if the home team can get a similar result at home the crowd would be delighted.

Valencia on the other hand enter this match after a draw against Recreativo last week in a home tie, they are covering up for the terrible time they had in the middle of the season and a timely victory here could lift up them to a position of some respect. They would also  be satisfied with a point from this tie but definitely would not like to lose this one.

Prediction: 1-0, Espa nyol win

Valencia vs Recreativo Huelva

23/2- Valencia have maintained their place in the top half of the table after some performances in the second half of the season which stopped their slip down the table but their performance at home is still quite dismal and they would be looking to set the record straight when they take on Recreativo Huelva at home this week. Currently on the 9^th spot the home team is just a point adrift of the 8^th placed Racing Santander, they do have the time to recover some places and end the season on a high. The visitors however have found some form in the last two matches and on that basis have been able to climb up to the 15^th spot and have avoided relegation probably for the time being but the problem is that the gaps in the bottom half are two small to predict. The last time both teams met Valencia were the winners by a 0-1 score line in an away tie and hence would have a psychological edge over their opponents.

Valencia get into this game after below par performances in the last 10 games as they managed to win just two while have been defeated 4 times. In their last match against Getafe they were just able to match a tame draw. The home crowd will be hoping that their team can deliver without the striking power of Morientes, who is out due to injury.

Recreativo Huelva go into this match on a high, not only they have won their last two matches but have also risen 4 points above the relegation zone and can take a sigh of relief for now. In the last two matches they have shown tremendous application and would be hoping to continue this week. They would try and capitalise on the fact that their opponents have not done anything special playing at home this season.

Prediction: 1-1,draw

Getafe vs Valencia

17/2- Valencia started of the season in great style and were thought to be the title contenders along with Real Madrid and Barcelona however then they started losing the grip and faced a series of loses and uncharacteristic performances. However in the last two weeks they have managed a couple of victories which has brought back hope to the fans that the club would end on a high. The team now travels to take on 11^th placed Getafe in an away tie this week. Valencia would be highly optimistic about their chances as they have been the second best team travelling this season and their performances away from home have been much better than those at home. The last time both the teams met was earlier this season and they won the tie 2-1 playing at home. The record stand even overall as both teams have won 3 matches against each other in a total of seven matches with one match ending in a draw.

Valencia would be looking to take ahead the form they have regained and would be hoping that in the absence of Morientes, Villa Sanchez can continue the scoring as he has done in the past few games. Also they would be looking to climb a few spots with a victory and try and finish the season with a flourish and may be get an entry to the European championships next season.                                                                                                                         

Getafe on the other hand would want to convert the home support and the home record into a full three points, more than anything a victory could trigger them into the top half of the table and this would be a huge boost to the club’s morale. Though Getafe have not found any particular striker and hence the whole team would have to perform in unison to ensure some points from the tie.

Prediction: 1-2, Valencia win

Valencia vs Real Betis

10/2- Valencia were on the way downwards and all of a sudden they found a new lifeline last week when they managed to beat Valladolid in an away tie and were able to maintain a spot in the top half of the table. They are placed on the 9^th position and would be looking to continue the form they have gained again, Valencia had kick started this season and were looked upon as a side that would challenge Real Madrid and Barcelona in the title race but then a slide in the middle of the season they were on their way out of the top 10 before this victory against Valladolid last week. Now they prepare themselves to take on Real Betis in a home tie. Real Betis were once in the relegation zone and their climb to the 14^th position is a credit to the determination they have shown to stay in the top league. Though not completely out of the trouble they are in a much better position than they were a month or two ago.

Valencia would be awaiting the return of star striker Morientes and in his absence Villa Sanchez would have to carry the load of scoring the goals. Valencia would also be confident of winning the tie as they have defeated the same opponents in an away tie in the beginning of this season with 1-2 margin. Also the overall record suggests that Valencia have been dominant as they have won 14 of the 25 matches whereas 6 have been draws.

Real Betis on the other hand are a side that is rising on the points table and would like to score at least a point of this match. With Pavone in their side the visitors have the striker to make the difference but they would have to bring in all efforts and resources together in order steal some points while taking on Valencia at their home ground.

Prediction: 1-1, draw

Valladolid vs Valencia

3/2- After a disappointing week for both the teams, Valladolid get prepared to play hosts to Valencia as the team placed 9^th on the points table takes on the 11^th placed team. Valencia started of the season with a bang and were in the top teams before their downfall began, they have not won a single match of the last 10. In fact they have lost 5 of their last 10 matches and drawn the remaining and even after such a performance they are on the 11^th spot because of the way they played in the beginning of the season. Valladolid on the other hand have fared very well and their 9^th spot is due to some consistent performances in the recent months. Of their last 10 matches they have won 5 while 2 have been draws while of the last 6 matches played at home they have won 4 while two have been draws. The past record between the two sides has been fairly equal with both matches winning 8 matches each while seven have been draws of the last 23 matches.

Valladolid go into this match after a shock defeat last week against Deportivo La Corna in an away match, the 3-1 result would have hurt the team and the players would be eager to perform and get the entire 3 points of this match. Llorente has scored 10 goals this season and in their most prolific striker and an equally good support from Gutierrez would be expected by the home crowd in this match.

Valencia have had a miserable part in the second half of the season and the absence of Morientes seems to be the major reason of their string of losses, they would try and at least get a point of this away tie and looking at their current form that does not seem a likely result as well.

Prediction: 2-0, Valladolid win

Valencia vs Almeria

27/1- Valencia have been the most unpredictable team this season, they started off really well and in the mid season started losing their grip and now they have gone 10 games without a single win and this is turning out to be a big concern but the astonishing fact is that even after so much of disappointment they are still in the top half of Laliga, placed at the 8^th spot. This week they would be playing hosts to the 10^th placed Almeria. Almeria come to Valencia riding on tremendous form as they have managed to win their last two matches and have moved up to the 10^th position on the points table. The teams have only met once before this encounter and Valencia have won that encounter. The biggest problem for the home team is that their performance at home this season has been as good as the teams lying in the relegation zone.

Valencia would hope that their fortune can change with this match as of the last 10 matches they have played they have lost 5 while the other 5 have been draws. The last match they played was against Villareal and they lost the away tie with a 3-0 score line. The biggest problem for the side has been the absence of key striker Morientes due to injury, Morientes has been their most prolific striker this season and has scored 6 goals and currently is injured. Villa Sanchez would be the player the club would hope to use as the striker in such a situation.

Almeria would be hoping to make the most of this opportunity as a win here could trigger them to the 8^th place on the points table. The side would also be confident after their last week’s victory against Deportivo La Coruna. Sanchez and Melo are their key strikers but their defense is responsible for saving them most of the time and hence a place in the top half.

Prediction: 1-2, Almeria win

Villareal vs Valencia

19/1- Valencia started off the season with a blast and then all of a sudden came a sudden change of fortunes they have been struggling ever since and have not been able to live up to the expectations they set up. They are placed on the 7^th position and are being constantly chased by Sevilla and other teams and in current form their position always appears to be under threat. Their away form has been good but in their last match against Atletico Madrid they lost 1-0, last week. They would be travelling to take on Villareal, placed 5^th on the points table. Villareal have been in supreme form and that was translated into action when they managed to hold out Deportivo La Coruna in a home tie last week when they beat them 4-3. Out of the last 5 games played Villareal have won the 2 matches while Valencia have lost 2 and drawn the remaining, that makes it just 3 points of 5 games.

Valencia have been supreme when playing away and they would like to make the most of it this time, at least a point of this match would be something that the club would want as they have been constantly followed by various teams looking to upstage them. Morientes has been the best player for the side and Joaquin is another important player but until the entire team plays well it would be difficult for the club to manage a victory. They also need to better their defence as they have had 29 goals against them while have scored 22 goals.

Villareal on the other hand have been a far more consistent side and have been in great form at home winning 6 of the 9 matches played. In Nihat they have a wonderful striker and with Senna in the lines they have a good attacking side, though their defensive power has not been great they have been able to outscore their opponents.

Prediction: 2-1, Villareal win

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