Young Boys vs Valencia Predictions

This Tuesday’s clash may be a make or break game for both Young Boys and Valencia in terms of their hopes of progressing from this tough Champions League group. The Swiss side were always going to be up against it and realistically 3rd place and Europa League football would be a decent outcome for them. They will see this as their best chance of picking up a win in this group but Valencia will also probably view this as a ‘must win’ fixture in terms of their hopes of progression.

If Los Che can get the three points, they’d certainly fancy their chances of doing likewise in the reverse fixture at the Mestalla. That would put them right in the mix to perhaps pip Manchester United to 2nd place in this group, with the sides set to meet on match-day six in what could be an enormous game in Spain. However we are a long way off that point yet and despite a creditable draw at Old Trafford on the last match-day, Valencia have won just once this season in all competitions.

Young Boys by contrast are already running away with the Swiss League. They are 10 points clear at the top after just 11 games. Already this season they’ve hammered likely title rivals Basel 7-1 but it has been a very different matter in this competition. 3-0 defeats to Manchester United and Juventus suggest they are out of their depth when it comes to facing the very top European sides.

Valencia aren’t quite on that level yet though. They’ve been a real source of frustration to both their coach and supporters this season. The spine of a good side is certainly there but things haven’t been clicking in the final third and they are yet to settle on the best strike partnership up top having signed Kevin Gameiro and Michy Batshuayi in the summer. These things can take time but a return of just 7 goals scored in 11 competitive matches this season is a pitiful return given the talent they possess.

10 of those fixtures produced under 2.5 goals and defensively at least they have been pretty solid. Young Boys’ league games tend to involve plenty of goals but their approach is usually very different in this competition against superior opponents. They’ve only scored 3 goals in their last 6 Champions League fixtures and backing Under 2.5 Goals looks to offer value here with both sides still waiting for their first goal in the group stage.

In terms of the outcome, going for the Draw could be the smart move. Valencia are struggling to put inferior sides away and were held to another poor home draw by lowly Leganes at the weekend. A huge 73% of their competitive fixtures this term have finished level and it’d be no great shock if that figure increased further here.