Everton vs Valencia Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Valencia will make the trip to Merseyside for their penultimate pre-season fixture before their La Liga season kicks off on the 20th of August. The Taronges have had a mixed pre-season so far and should be aiming to be near their full potential with the new campaign only a few weeks away. Everton’s new manager Marco Silva will also be hoping to smash this game with the Premier League beginning next weekend.

After months of speculation, Marco Silva was eventually given the Everton job at the end of May. The controversy around this appointment was in lieu with Everton’s approach to Marco Silva early last season. Watford have claimed the approach was illegal and with Silva’s mind in two places during the scandal, the team’s form fell off a cliff despite such a promising start. The drama behind this move has definitely spoiled what is such an exciting appointment for Everton as Silva has shown real promise during his two short spells in England with the Hornets and Hull. For only being 41, his home record at Olympiacos was outstanding and really set him apart from other young managers around him when he made the trip to England.

Despite a 22-0 victory in his first match in charge and some smart signings, Everton fans have already lost some confidence in the Portuguese manager. Since that massive victory, they have drawn with bury and lost three consecutive games with Porto, Blackburn and a 4-1 thumping from Rennes. Of course, friendlies are never the best way to gauge a team’s potential, but if the Toffees face another defeat against Valencia, many eyes will be cast over Marco Silva after so much work was done to get him to Goodison.

His aforementioned signings have been smart so far, but expensive and in their rarities. Only two players have been brought in; one being Lucas Digne from Barcelona, a left-back who showed promise in his Lille and Roma days but failed to ever make a claim for Jordi Alba’s position at Barca, it will be interesting to see if he can revitalise his career by holding down a first team place in the Premier League. They have also made the controversial signing of Richarlison from Watford for £35m, reuniting the Brazilian with his former manager. The price tag has been what most journalists have raised their eyebrows at. Despite showing real quality at the start of last season, as soon as Marco Silva’s Watford began to implode, the winger seemed to look a different player from the confident goalscorer Watford fans were getting to know. That £35m will add a lot of pressure to Richarlison but if he can recreate his once scintillating form again at Everton, then most fans will forget they even paid for him.

Valencia resumed the status quo last season by finishing fourth after two difficult years where a certain Gary Neville left his detrimental mark on the club. Now under the guidance of Marcelino Toral, the team looks like its old self again, aiming to finish in and around the 3rd place mark.

The Spaniards have had a slightly better pre-season compared to Everton but with only one win in four, it hasn’t been spectacular. Toral’s men managed a victory over Galatasaray in their first match but since have seen mild performances against Lausanne, PSV and Leicester. This will be their second last friendly before the new season so will be looking to get some more wins under their belt.

Their transfer period has been solid, but it will be hard to replace João Cancelo who was outstanding last season. The club have brought in right-back Cristiano Piccini to try and subsidise the loss but only time will tell if he can recreate Cancelo’s form of last year. Other additions have been defensive midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia and centre-back Mouctar Diakhaby, two powerful players for the squad’s spine who will both be looking to make more appearances before the new season begins.

With Valencia having a slightly better pre-season and transfer window, so we’re backing Valencia to win this one. Everton have lost their last three consecutive games, only scoring one in the process, and apart from their 22-0 win over the amateur club Irdning, they have only got three goals in their last six games. Valencia have scored in 17 of their last 20 games and should continue this hot streak against Everton with a 1-0 victory.