It's another round of La Liga action this weekend after the World Cup break with Valencia and Cadiz set to clash at the Mestalla on Friday night with Gennaro Gattuso set to lead his men out once again after a dodgy start to life in Spain.
Gattuso has been in charge of Valencia since the start of the season having left Napoli in 2021. The Italian legend has gone on to win as many games as he has lost (6) and also drawn four other games.
Final touches before #ValenciaCádiz 👀 pic.twitter.com/On8VDigGE1— Valencia CF (@valenciacf_en) January 5, 2023
Final touches before #ValenciaCádiz 👀 pic.twitter.com/On8VDigGE1
This does leave the ex-AC Milan boss with a +9 goals difference, however, having scored 26 times and let in just 17. On the other hand, Gattuso has just a 37.50 win rate with the La Liga side.
Valencia lost on their La Liga return last time out against Villarreal away from home. The club did manage to lead the game too, after Edinson Cavani scored another goal for his side, before two goals from Villarreal.
The Mestalla side met with La Nucia in the Copa del Rey earlier this week and earned their first win in all competitions (including friendlies) in over a month.
Justin Kluivert bagged a goal after three minutes, before Illaix Moriba scored in the first half. Hugo Duro scored the game’s third goal in a 3-0 win late in the second 45.
Valencia also have a Supercopa de Espana tie to look forward to next week, as they sit 10th in La Liga. In fact, they are level on points with 11th-placed RCD Mallorca and behind Real Betis in sixth by five points and Atletico Madrid in fourth by eight points.
In fact, it looks almost certain already that Valencia won’t make it into the Champions League once again, and it’s likely going to be a struggle for them just to get closer to the Europa Conference League and Europa League places in Spain’s top flight.
Cadiz, on the other hand, are still in complete disarray. The club are in 19th and although they sit way ahead of last-placed Elche, they have just two wins on the board.
There is only a gap of one point to make up on Celta Vigo in 16th, but regardless, a lengthy relegation battle is seemingly on the cards for Cadiz for the remainder of 2023.
Forebet predicts a return to winning ways in La Liga for Valencia and for the game to see under 2.5 goals once more.