Valencia started the La Liga season with a 2-1 win away to Sevilla. Manager Ruben Baraja is now aiming for a second straight win and to put last season’s problems at Valencia to bed.
Los Che will welcome Las Palmas to the Mestalla on Friday night. This will be the first meeting between Valencia and Las Palmas since 2018.
Final preparations ⚽️💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/LG4MQXLg6T— Valencia CF (@valenciacf_en) August 17, 2023
Final preparations ⚽️💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/LG4MQXLg6T
There are no recent trends between these teams, but Las Palmas posted a record of 3W-1D-2L in the last six matches versus Las Palmas.
Baraja led Valencia to a 2-1 win over Sevilla in round 1 thanks to goals from Mouctar Diakhaby and Javi Guerra.
Valencia could start the campaign with back-to-back wins, but Las Palmas should fancy their chances at Mestalla.
The Canaries drew 1-1 with Mallorca on matchday No 1. Jonathan Viera scored against Mallorca to give Las Palmas a share of the spoils.
Manager Francisco Javier García Pimienta led Las Palmas to promotion from La Liga 2 last season.
Pimienta is now focused on keeping Las Palmas in La Liga for next season. If Las Palmas can get a result at Valencia, they will be in good shape after two matches.
Valencia sold midfielder Yunus Mensah to AC Milan in the offseason and made €20 million off the sale.
The club reinvested in the signings of defender Cenk Ozkacar and midfielder Pepelu. Both players are in line to start against Las Palmas.
Baraja uses a 4-2-3-1 formation. Pepelu and Diakhaby started as the duel defensive midfielders against Sevilla.
Hugo Duro started in attack and should once again begin the game as Valencia’s No 9.
Las Palmas’s transfer signings were slightly lower-key. Sandro Ramirez is Las Palmas’s most high-profile signing thus far.
Pimienta uses an attacking 4-3-3 formation. Marc Cardona started as the team’s central striker against Mallorca.
Pimienta could alter his team and formation playing away from home against Valencia. He could favour using counter-attacking tactics.
Las Palmas’s midfielder Alberto Moleiro is a doubt following a muscle injury. Fabio Gonzalez is ruled out with a sprained ankle. Forward Machin Perez is ruled out with an ACL injury.
Valencia midfielder Alberto Mari is ruled out with a thigh injury. Forward Marco dos Sousa is a doubt to play following a meniscus injury.
Valencia started the season well with a win against Sevilla. Los Che should get another result in La Liga, but it will be a 1-1 draw with Las Palmas. Both teams will benefit from the result as they fight to remain in La Liga this season.