Valencia vs Las Palmas – La Liga – Preview

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Sreya

Valencia hosts Las Palmas in their inaugural match of the 2016/17 La Liga season at the Mestalla Stadium on 21st August, Sunday. Valencia finished on the twelfth position in the La Liga standings last season on 44 points, behind the eleventh-placed Las Palmas who were ahead on goal difference only.

This season both clubs would like to break out of the mid-table conundrum and finish in the top half of the league. With an easy run of fixtures in the first few weeks, both clubs will look to gain some momentum by winning the matches.

Team News

Nani and Rodrigo are suspended for Valencia while Guilherme Siqueira has been listed as a doubt. Alvaro Medran is set to start in midfield after a good pre-season, alongside the controversial figure of Dani Parejo.

Las Palmas will be without the injured Javi Castellano and Hernan and the suspended Mauricio Lemos. Sergio Araujo has been listed as a doubt and will face a late fitness test. If not deemed fit before the start of the game, Marko Livaja is likely to replace him.

Valencia Possible Starting Lineup: Mat Ryan, Joa Cancelo, Aderlan Santos, Skhodran Mustafi, Jose Gaya, Alvaro Medran, Enzo Perez, Daniel Parejo, Fede Cartabia, Paco Alcacer, Santi Mina.

Las Palmas Possible Starting Lineup: Javi Varas, Michel Machedo, David Garcia, Pedro Bigas, Dani Castellano, Kevin- Prince Boateng, Roque Mesa, Raul Lizoain, Nabil El Zhar, Sergio Araujo, Jonathan Viera.

Contributor’s Pick

According to Head-2-Head statistics, Valencia have won three and lost only one of their last six matches against Las Palmas. Valencia have seen under 2.5 goals in their last three home matches against Las Palmas in all competitions, so this one is expected to be a low-scoring match as well.

While Valencia have lost their last three La Liga matches, Las Palmas have lost their last three away matches in the league. It should be a closely contested affair and is likely to end in a 1-1 draw.