On Wednesday evening, Valencia host Sevilla at the Mestalla, in a game that the home side needs to win to kick-start their La Liga campaign.

Valencia (Odds of 9/5 for victory)

Los Ches have experienced a highly underwhelming La Liga campaign so far. Their poor start saw coach Marcelino replaced by Albert Celades. However, the former Barcelona midfielder has yet to inspire a major turnaround in form for the home side.

Valencia did at least have a five-game unbeaten run in La Liga after a 5-2 defeat at Barcelona in Celades dugout debut for Los Ches. However, that undefeated run ended last time out when Los Ches suffered a 3-1 defeat at Osasuna. This will not be an easy game to bounce back in.

The home side can provide entertainment at both ends of the field, with both teams scoring in six of Los Ches last seven matches in the Spanish top-flight.

One positive for Valencia is their decent home record in La Liga, as they have lost just once in 18 home games in the Spanish top-flight. One minor negative is their defensive record on home soil of late, with just one clean sheet kept in their last nine league outings at the Mestalla. The fact that Sevilla has not been prolific going forward in La Liga this season may just help the home sides chances of a rare home clean sheet.

Sevilla (Odds of 6/4 for victory)

The Andalusians are enjoying a decent start to their La Liga campaign and currently sit in fifth place in the table, just one point behind shock leaders Granada in a contested top-six.

In reality, the visitors recent league form has not been that consistent considering their relatively lofty position in the table. However, that lofty position has been helped by two straight victories over Levante and last time out Getafe. Two clean sheets were also bonuses, as the visitors had failed to keep a clean sheet in their previous four league matches.

Sevilla have proven slightly travel sick of late in La Liga losing their last two away matches. Stretching back a bit further and the Andalusians have won just three of their previous eight away games in the Spanish top-flight. A run of poor defensive displays has not helped the visitors away form, as they have kept just five clean sheets in their last 18 away games.

They have also struggled to beat Valencia in recent matches, winning just one of the last six meetings between the two teams in La Liga. With Valencia so hard to beat on home soil, the visitors may have to wait a bit longer to improve their record against Los Ches.

Conclusion

This encounter is a difficult one to judge. Sevilla are in the slightly better form, but Valencia are not an easy nut to crack at the Mestalla. I am going to get splinters, but I am sitting on the fence and backing the draw at odds of 12/5.

Neither side is in great form, despite Sevilla, recording back-to-back league wins. Therefore, the draw seems like the most likely result.

Verdict: Back the draw at odds of 12/5 (All odds taken from Bet 365).

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