The La Liga title and Champions League places are wrapped up heading into the final game of the season. However, there is still plenty for Valencia to play for.
Los Che are just two points back of sixth-placed Real Sociedad and can usurp them in the table, qualifying for the Europa League with a win against Sevilla on Sunday. Of course, Valencia will need help from teams elsewhere to achieve Europa League football.
Sevilla, on the other hand, will return to the Champions League next season and cannot be knocked out of the top four on the final day. They can move as high as third with a win and Atletico Madrid dropping points against Real Sociedad.
The match between the two clubs played earlier this season ended in a stalemate. Neither club could find the way through as Sevilla took a 1-0 lead into halftime thanks to a Lucas Ocampos goal. Ruben Sobrino equalised for Valencia just before full-time.
Sevilla have posted a solid home record in 2019-20 with 34 points from 54 possible. They have been defensively solid allowing just 14 goals against. The last two matches played by Sevilla at the Estadio Roman Sanchez Pizjuan ended in wins to nil.
Manager Julen Lopetegui has done well with Sevilla to get them back into the top four. The club are third in possession in La Liga with 55.8% per game and fourth in shots with 12.8 per match.
Forward Ocampos has become a top La Liga player and should get plenty of interest from clubs elsewhere in the offseason. He has scored 14 goals accounting for 26% of the team’s scoring.
Valencia’s away form has been their downfall this term. They have taken just 13 points from 54 possible. None of their last six games have ended in a win and four of those fixtures finished in losses.
Valencia, on the other hand, are preparing to clear out players. Twelve players are on the chopping block according to reports and star striker Rodrigo Moreno is one of those players set to be sold.
Los Che lifted the Copa del Rey just over 12 months ago and qualified for this season’s Champions League last 16, yet another overhaul is on the cards at a club that goes from one crisis to the next.
Sunday’s game should see Sevilla finish off the campaign with a win as Valencia struggle on the road once more. Expect under 2.5 goals as Sevilla finish with a win to nil.