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Valencia will entertain Elche at Mestalla Stadium in a regional derby in LaLiga on Saturday. The hosts have won just three of their 18 league games and are 18th in the league standings. The visitors have fared slightly better with five wins and are ninth in the standings.
Los Ches are winless in their last five league games, playing three draws. They faced Celta Vigo in their first match of the year last week and suffered a 4-1 away defeat. Pepelu halved the deficit in the 70th minute, but they conceded twice again late in the second half. Notably, their two wins in all competitions since December have been registered in the Copa del Rey.
The visitors met Villarreal in their first match of the year last week and fell to a 3-1 home defeat. They conceded twice in quick succession early on, and Martim Neto pulled one goal back in the 30th minute. They conceded again late in the second half.
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Valencia vs Elche Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two neighbors have met 56 times in all competitions. The hosts have the lead in the head-to-head record with 27 wins. Los Franjiverdes have 17 wins, and 12 games have ended in draws.
- They last met in the 2022-23 league campaign, and Los Ches secured a 2-0 away win, extending their unbeaten streak against the visitors to five games.
- Elche are winless on their travels in LaLiga this season, and they have lost their last five away games.
- Valencia are unbeaten in their last four LaLiga home games, scoring a goal apiece in these games. They have also conceded exactly one goal each in three games in that period.
- The hosts have scored two goals each in three of their last four meetings against Los Franjiverdes.
- The hosts have the second-worst defensive record in the league this season, conceding 30 goals.
Valencia vs Elche Prediction
Valencia have won just one of their last seven league games, with that triumph coming at home against Real Betis in November. Interestingly, they have scored exactly one goal each in these games.
Julen Agirrezabala and Mouctar Diakhaby are long-term absentees for the hosts, while Hugo Duro is suspended due to the accumulation of yellow cards after being booked last week. New signing Umar Sadiq is likely to start from the bench in his second stint with the club.
Elche have lost two of their last three league games, conceding three goals apiece in these defeats. Notably, they have conceded three goals apiece in three of their last five LaLiga away games, which is cause for concern.
Rafa Mir and Héctor Fort are the two absentees for the visitors.
While Los Ches have struggled in the league recently, considering their home record against the visitors, we back them to eke out a narrow win.
Prediction: Valencia 2-1 Elche
Valencia vs Elche Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Valencia to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: Both teams to score - Yes
Tip 4: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
