La Liga: Deportivo vs. Valencia

Posted on | April 30, 2007 | No Comments

At Christmas Valencia were able to string together a run of six consecutive victories. However, since then they have been unable to win two games back to back. Last weekend saw them easily beat Recreativo de Huelva two goals to nil with an outstanding Joaquin netting twice. This week then, according to their current form, they should lose to Deportivo. The truth is that since their six game unbeaten run they haven’t won away from Mestalla, taking just two points from a possible eighteen. Very worrying indeed for a team that has to qualify for next season’s Champions league.
But what about Deportivo de Coruña? Once upon a time they were Champions league regulars, but after having sold some of their best players and losing coach Javier Irrutia, they have been struggling to rekindle their old form. New coach Caparros has plumped for young, home-grown talent rather than big names, mainly because Deportivo doesn’t have the money to spend. They go into this match having lost four of their last eight games, although they have won the last three games at home in Riazor. Another curious fact is that they have only let in seven goals at home all season, and of the four teams who have netted, only Zaragoza and Athletic Bilbao were able to score twice. Quite a fortress, then.
If Valencia are to take anything home after this match then they had better improve their away form. At this stage of the season, one slip could mean the difference between a Champions league place and a UEFA cup place, or even neither. It would be a shame not to see Valencia in Europe as they clearly have the squad deserving of the highest competition. Whether they can muster a win here is difficult to judge, though. They have some excellent players whose pace is quite a sight, but they also have this streak of complicating life unnecessarily. I am going for a draw in this match. Both teams are capable of the best and worst football, and I can see them cancelling each other out.
Prediction: Draw (0-0)

Related posts:

1. La Liga: Deportivo vs. Valencia
2. La Liga: Valencia vs. Deportivo de la Coruña
3. La Liga: Deportivo vs. Real Madrid
4. La Liga: Villarreal vs. Deportivo
5. La Liga: Deportivo vs. Espanyol

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