On Wednesday night, Valencia and Celta Vigo, who have both gone undefeated in 2024, will meet at Mestalla to play for a spot in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey. Even though Rafa Benitez is back at the site of his many triumphs, Celta sits 12 points behind the hosts in La Liga and has a much worse cup record. If you are interested in sports betting, then you can earn some money through betting on your favorite teams on Orbit Exchange.
A preview of the Valencia vs Celta Vigo match
Valencia has the history to contend for another title in Spain’s national knockout tournament, the Copa del Rey, having won the trophy eight times, the most recent being in 2019. Their current form also gives them a good chance of winning this week’s last-16 match. Following their cup final triumph over Cartagena, Los Che have won their first two league matches of the new year, thrashing local rivals Villarreal and Cadiz, for a total of four wins in a row across all competitions.
Hugo Duro scored first in Monday’s 4-1 victory against Nuevo Mirandilla, and Valencia added two more in second-half stoppage time to seal the deal. With a three-point cushion separating them from the European slots and a move up to eighth place in La Liga, Ruben Baraja’s team is shown signs that they can put last season’s disappointing 16th place finish in the past.
Clash between Valencia and Celta Vigo
Valencia and Celta Vigo fought to a scoreless draw in late November, right before Valencia’s turnaround started. Now, the two teams meet again in a cup match at Mestalla, which Valencia has only lost twice all season. While the hosts had won four in a row, Celta were held to a 1-1 tie by Mallorca on Saturday, preventing them from making it three victories in a row.
It required a comeback in the second half, but Los Celestes defeated Amorebieta 4-2 in the Copa del Rey, following their 2024 season opener against Real Betis. Amorebieta was Segunda Division opposition.
Read more: Who is The King of Football?
After a successful three-year run at Valencia, during which he won two league titles and a UEFA Cup, Rafa Benitez returns to the club that launched his career to face the squad led by his former Valencia midfielder. Celta Vigo have finished in second place three times in the Copa del Rey, but with Benitez’s impressive cup record, they might surprise Spain’s heavy hitters and go all the way this year.
Before everything else, the Galician club, now 16th in La Liga, has to bring the same level of intensity that has kept them undefeated in eight games since their previous visit to Mestalla if they want to pull off an unlikely away victory and go to the Copa quarterfinals.
News from the Team
Valencia will be without Selim Amallah (who will be representing Guinea at the Africa Cup of Nations) and Mouctar Diakhaby (who will be representing Morocco), but they have the option to recall Yarek Gasiorowski, a young defender who has started to establish himself on the first squad. Although fellow teenager Cristhian Mosquera is expected to partner Gabriel Paulista in defence, the adolescent center-back might make an appearance on Wednesday after being released from Spain’s Under-19 team to play Italy in a friendly.
With Andre Almeida still out with a back injury, Ruben Baraja should be able to make a few changes to his starting lineup for Saturday’s league match against Athletic Club, since the most of his players should be available. Ivory Coast is hosting the 2018 African Cup of Nations, and Jonathan Bamba is playing for the hosts, while Celta’s Franco Cervi and Joseph Aidoo are out with injuries; Carl Starfelt has just recently resumed full training.
Also Read: Who is the legend of football and the most expensive football player in the world?
Anastasios Douvikas, who scored twice in the previous two rounds, might start up front for Rafa Benitez’s La Liga squad as the manager plans to rotate players between two games. Iago Aspas, who is now on fire as captain, has yet to play a minute in the Copa del Rey, thus his starting status is uncertain. Two of the experienced forward’s three league goals this season have come in the first two months of 2024.
Valencia starting eleven: Domenech, Correia, Mosquera, Paulista, Vasquez; Perez, Guillamon, Guerra, Canos; Lopez, Mari.
A potential starting eleven for Celta Vigo might look like this: Villar; Vazquez, Nunez, Jailson, Ristic; Perez, Tapia, Beltran, De La Torre; Larsen, Douvikas.
Valencia vs Celta Vigo Prediction
With Celta Vigo’s road woes, Valencia has a great opportunity to extend their winning streak and advance to the semifinals of the Copa del Rey. Despite their focus on the lower echelons of La Liga, the hosts have a deeper roster and more promising young players.
Bet on the best Betting Exchange sites with our expert tips. If you want to bet on this match, then try out the Orbit x Exchange.
There are more different betting information on Germany betting exchange.