Valencia vs Real Sociedad — Tips & Analysis

Under 2.5: Neither of these teams is in any shape to play an open game, and that is why we want a quiet night. Valencia sit 19th in the table with seven players ruled out, including Diakhaby, Foulquier and Sadiq. A patched up side in the relegation places does not go chasing goals. Valencia score just over a goal a game and only 5 of their last 13 games had 3 or more goals in them. They have lost four of their last five, so the Mestalla will be anxious rather than loud. Real Sociedad are just as short of rhythm. They have won 2, tied 5 and lost 6 of their last 13, and away from home they have won 1, tied 3 and lost 3. They also played on Thursday, losing 1-2 at home to Bournemouth, and have had only 3 days since. Valencia have had 5. History backs the same picture. The last 20 meetings between these two averaged just over 2 goals, and 7 of them ended level. A tense 1-1 that neither side can win is the likeliest finish, and that is the game we want. The risk is that both defences leak. Real Sociedad let in almost 2 goals a game, and these two produced a 4-3 in May. We still think two nervous teams at Mestalla keeps this one low scoring.