Valencia vs Espanyol Predictions

• Valencia are unbeaten in seven league games with three draws in that run
• Espanyol have lost only one of their last eight matches, including three draws
• The last four meetings between these clubs have finished all square

Corberan’s primary job is almost complete

Valencia will bid to maintain their march away from the relegation positions when they face in-form Espanyol at Estadio Mestalla on Tuesday.

Rock bottom of La Liga when Carlos Corberan was parachuted in from West Brom after Christmas, Los Che are now up to 14th in the table on the back of a seven-match unbeaten run. They clinched another crucial point away at Rayo Vallecano on Saturday thanks to Umar Sadiq’s 75th-minute leveller.

Unfortunately for Valencia, the Nigerian striker also collected his fifth booking of the season which means he misses Tuesday’s visit of the Parakeets through an automatic suspension. Sadiq has been a key player for the team of late, scoring four goals in his last seven league appearances.

Parakeets have been ruffling feathers on the road

Top scorer Hugo Duro, who got Valencia’s historic winner at the Bernebeu earlier this month, will probably partner Diego Lopez up front, as Sadiq’s loss restrics Corberan’s options to freshen up the line-up.

And it will not be an easy job to create many goalscoring opportunities against an Espanyol side that have won three of their last four away games, keeping clean sheets in victories at Alaves, Rayo Vallecano and Celta Vigo. Those last two results, 4-0 and 2-0 successes, look very good given Vallecano have lost only four home games since August and Celta only two since October.

Manolo Gonzalez’s men could win at the Mestalla if they score first and shut the game down in the same efficient way they have managed their recent road leads. But Valencia are strong enough at the back to resist them and Corberan’s considered approach could mean they don’t risk much for the three points. Back this game to finish in a draw, just as the last four encounters between the two clubs have done.