La Liga | Gameweek 17

Dec 13, 2024 at 8pm UK

Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla

Valladolidvs.Valencia

Match preview

Alvaro Rubio remains in charge of Real Valladolid on an interim basis following the departure of Paulo Pezzolano, and will take charge for a third time on Friday night, but a permanent replacement for the recently departed head coach could be appointed over the weekend.

Diego Cocca, most recently in charge of Mexico in 2023, is understood to have signed a contract until the end of the season and the 52-year-old faces a tough task in keeping the White and Violets in the top flight.

The newly promoted side have won two, drawn three and lost 11 of their 16 league games this term, leaving them bottom of the table with nine points, six adrift of safety in 17th place.

Real Valladolid have by far the worst defensive record in La Liga this season, having conceded 34 times in their 16 games, and they will be coming into this game on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Las Palmas last weekend.

In fact, Pucela beat Valencia 1-0 in the corresponding fixture in the 2022-23 La Liga season, so they will be looking to make it back-to-back home wins over Los Che when the two sides meet on Friday.

Valencia, meanwhile, go into the game on the back of a 1-0 home defeat to Rayo Vallecano, which leaves them 19th on 10 points and with just two wins to their name in La Liga this term.

Los Che have two games in hand on Real Valladolid and two in hand on 17th-placed Leganes, who are five points clear, so it is not yet time to hit the panic button, but it has been a tough start to the campaign.

Ruben Baraja's side have struggled to find the back of the net, scoring just 13 times, the second-worst total in the league behind Getafe and Real Valladolid (11 each), suggesting this will be a low-scoring affair.

Valencia's away form has also been disappointing, with just two points from seven games, while Real Valladolid have won just one of their eight away games this term.

The six-time Spanish champions finished ninth last season and, given their squad, a top-half finish is still possible this term, but Baraja's side will need to find a period of consistency.

Recent Performance

Real Valladolid La Liga form:LLDLLL

Real Valladolid form (all competitions):LDLLWL

Valencia La Liga form:DLDWLL

Valencia form (all competitions):DWDLWL

Team News

Real Valladolid will be without the services of Selim Amallah due to a muscle problem, while Kenedy and Raul Moro are unlikely to feature due to muscular problems.

The home side will also be without the services of Eray Comert, who is suspended after receiving a yellow card in the defeat to Las Palmas.

Juma Bah should benefit from his return to the heart of the defence, but Marcos Andre will retain his place in the final third of the field, with the number nine getting on the scoresheet last time out.

For Valencia, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Jose Gaya, Dimitri Foulquier, Maximiliano Caufriez, Ruben Iranzo, Thierry Correia and Mouctar Diakhaby are all unavailable through injury.

Jesus Vazquez is expected to benefit from Gaya's injury by starting at left wing-back, while Pepelu is also set to return to the side, which could see Javi Guerra move to wide areas.

Hugo Duro has scored four goals in La Liga this season and will once again lead the line, while Rafa Mir, Sergi Canos and Andre Almeida will be the attacking options in reserve on Friday night.

Possible starting lineup

Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:

Hein; L Perez, Bah, J Sanchez, Rosa; I Sanchez, Martin, Juric, K Perez, Sylla; Andre

Valencia possible starting lineup:

Dimitrievski; D Lopez, Tarrega, Mosquera, Gasiorowski, Vazquez; Rioja, Barrenechea, Pepelu, Guerra; Duro