Valencia remained in the danger zone after that win due to their inferior H2H record against Almeria, the win did end eight consecutive away La Liga losses for Valencia, consequently delivering interim manager Ruben Baraja his first triumph and clean sheet on the road during his tenure, although the new boss quite rightly insisted the team “hasn’t achieved anything yet”.
Valencia
Valencia’s trip to condemned Elche arrived at a seemingly perfect time, with the 2-0 win erasing the points difference to safety heading into this round. Although they remained in the danger zone after that win due to their inferior H2H record against Almeria, the win did end eight consecutive away La Liga losses for Valencia, consequently delivering interim manager Ruben Baraja his first triumph and clean sheet on the road during his tenure, although the new boss quite rightly insisted the team “hasn’t achieved anything yet”. Baraja has promised the fans “effort and work” continuing with an important home fixture against Valladolid, one of the eight clubs who beat Valencia during that lengthy away losing streak (1-0).
Whilst Valencia should appreciate the return home, where six of their eight La Liga wins this season were earned, their home La Liga record against clubs starting this round in the bottom half illustrates no opponent can be taken for granted.
Valladolid
Valladolid’s survival is not yet assured, though; back-to-back wins against higher-ranked clubs Villarreal (2-1 away) and Girona (1-0 home) have lifted them from 17th two rounds ago to a much more comfortable 14th at the end of last weekend – five points ahead of Valencia. It has been a near-perfect start for interim boss Paulo Pezzolano, who has collected more points (seven) in his first three matches than his predecessor Pacheta did in his final seven games (five). That was just the second time Valladolid had strung together three straight La Liga games without a loss, and the previous involved a 1-0 win at home to Valencia. Already in a tricky situation in part because of a nagging failure to win away to fellow bottom-half opposition, Valladolid also cannot afford complacency despite early signs of a sharp turnaround in form.
If Samu Castillejo and Justin Kluivert remain out through injury, Valencia striker Edinson Cavani would remain just one of two players to score in more than one of their home La Liga games this season, while 23-year-old Valladolid midfielder Monchu is hitting his stride recently after scoring twice across his last three appearances. Valladolid’s last seven La Liga wins were all by a one-goal margin.