Valencia vs Lille Predictions

Will Valencia boost their hopes of making it into the last 16 by claiming a victory against Lille this week? A draw with the French side last time out was a major blow to the Spanish side, who are battling Chelsea and Ajax for a spot in the last 16. Can they continue that push on Tuesday?

The hosts are looking at this one as a must-win home clash, which comes on the back of their 2-1 win at Espanyol at the weekend. The Spanish side are in mixed domestic form, but they can’t let that continue in a clash which could shape their European campaign this term. Given their last clash with Lille was a missed opportunity, the hosts must do better here.

The visitors already look cut adrift in this group. Lille have been beaten by both Chelsea and Ajax so far, while a third defeat for them would all but rule them out of enjoying European football post-Christmas. However, we doubt the French side will turn things around here. They are winless in their last 11 away games across all competitions. This season, Lille have already been beaten five times in seven games on the road, while they have suffered back-to-back defeats heading into this one.

Valencia are coming off the back of a solid victory, while they should view Lille as a beatable side. The visitors hardly have much European pedigree, with five defeats in seven away trips in this competition, including a loss at Valencia. Meanwhile, the hosts are coming off a campaign which saw them do what they needed to at home, to give them a chance of progressing in this competition.

Valencia won at home to Young Boys and Manchester United at this stage last season, so they should produce another victory at the Mestalla on Tuesday. We think Valencia are good value to see off a Lille side who are awful on the road.

In addition to backing a home win for Valencia, we expect the Spanish side to just edge this one. Lille have scored in just two of their last five in this competition, while Valencia aren’t scoring quite enough goals. Given that form, we are going with a 1-0 success for Valencia as they look to put the pressure on their top-two rivals.