Verdict: Valencia win

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to find a route into the top-half of the La Liga table on Monday night, Valencia will welcome Real Oviedo to the Mestalla.

Valencia

Starting with the hosts, with many around the Mestalla left disappointed last season as Valencia were forced to settle for another bottom-half finish among Spain’s elite, Carlos Corberan’s men know the importance of finding some crucial stability this time around. Suffering last-gasp heartbreak away at Espanyol earlier in the week as they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 stalemate in Catalonia, the former West Brom boss has seen his squad win just a pair of their first six La Liga appearances. Marking their return from September’s international break with a nightmare 6-0 drumming at the hands of Barcelona, Valencia will certainly be excited to make a return to home soil here. In fact, continuing on from last season, Los Ches have suffered just a single defeat at the Mestalla across all competitions since the end of February.

Valencia Team News

Ahead of Monday’s showdown, Valencia have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh injury concerns. Returning from a long-term knee issue earlier in the month, former Sporting Lisbon youngster Thierry Correira could get some more minutes under his belt.

Finding the net away at Espanyol on Tuesday night and now recording three goals in his previous four La Liga appearances, the red-hot Hugo Duro will lead the line here. Likewise, making a real impact after completing a permanent switch from Girona over the summer, ex-Tottenham loanee Arnaut Danjuma will partner Duro in the final third.

Real Oviedo

As for the visitors, although Real Oviedo might have sprung a real upset last season as they booked a famous La Liga return, Los Azules have an almighty uphill battle on their hands this time around. Last seen earlier in the week suffering a second-half collapse on home soil as they slumped to a 3-1 loss against defending champions Barcelona, Veljiko Paunovic’s men are pencilled in as a landslide relegation contender this year. Despite clinching a gritty 1-0 victory against Real Sociedad prior to September’s international break, it appears that was just a minor boost for Monday’s guests. Along with losing all of their previous three consecutive La Liga showdowns by an aggregate score of 6-1, the top-flight newcomers have also lost five of their first six appearances.

Real Oviedo Team News

Picking up a recent hamstring injury and missing out against Barcelona earlier in the week, Real Oviedo are once again sweating over the fitness of one-time Valencia youngster Nacho Vidal. Not featuring since returning from September’s international break, ex-Liverpool starlet Oviemuno Ejaria remains on the sidelines.

Completing a summer switch from Premier League outfit Aston Villa, Leander Dendoncker will start in the middle of the pitch. Despite being set to turn 41 later in the year, former Arsenal ace Santi Cazorla should feature in the final third third.

Valencia vs Real Oviedo Key Factors to Consider

• When Valencia last welcomed Real Oviedo to the Mestalla way back in November 2000, Los Ches collected a 2-0 victory.
• Monday’s hosts have suffered just a single defeat in front of their own supporters since the end of February.
• Along with losing their previous three consecutive La Liga appearances by an aggregate score of 6-1, Real Oviedo have also lost five of their first six outings.
• Finding the net away at Espanyol in midweek, Hugo Duro has now registered three goals in his previous four La Liga showdowns.
• Bagging just a pair of goals in their first six La Liga matchups, no team among Spain’s elite has recorded fewer strikes than Oviedo.

Conclusion

Suffering last-gasp heartbreak away at Espanyol in midweek as they eventually had to settle for an action-packed 2-2 stalemate, Valencia will be desperate to amen a return to home soil here. Looking to find a route into the top-half of the table, Los Ches have suffered just a single defeat in front of their own supporters since the end of February. Smelling what is a golden opportunity on Monday night when they host the La Liga relegation scrappers, we are backing a home victory at the Mestalla.

Verdict: Valencia win

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Luckster