BETDAQ’s Greg Walker is back with a preview of Saturday’s La Liga match between Malaga and Valencia.
Greg is now 17.64 points in front after his latest selection – a lay of Bayern Munich – came up trumps on Sunday. Since Greg started he has now had 10 WINNING BETS FROM 14 !!
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He now previews Saturday’s match between Malaga and Valencia
LA LIGA Preview:
MALAGA v VALENCIA (19.00)
Mexes v Pele….
It’s back to domestic action this weekend after another set of entertaining Champion’s League group games in midweek. There are a few CL highlights that could be mentioned however for this writer there is only one that deserves highlighting. Frenchman Philippe Mexes bicycle kick wonder goal for Inter Milan against Anderlecht was nothing short of breathtaking. The great Pele scored a similar one in a movie called ‘Escape to Victory’ but the Brazilian legend probably had twenty takes to get right…Philippe, just the one!
Show me the money….
Two of the La Liga clubs that were involved midweek meet each other this weekend in what should be a game of high quality. Valencia visit La Rosaleda this Saturday to take on home side Malaga who currently sit one point above ‘Los Che’ . Canny Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini has his average Malaga side qualified through the CL group phase plus has them sitting fifth in La Liga after a blistering start to this season’s campaign. Malaga’s success to date is a credit to Pellegrini and his players considering the persistent rumours that payment of player’s wages have been delayed or in some cases not paid at all.
This wages issue may go in some way to explaining the ‘Anchovies’ recent dip in form. The home side had lost only one of their first fifteen games of this season but of their last five they have drawn three and lost two. The two losses at home were by two mid table sides who the Mediterranean club would have been expected to at least take a point. Of the twelve La Liga games the Malaga men have played this season, they have only met one of the ‘top’ clubs and that resulted in a two goals to one defeat away to the excellent Atletico Madrid. The Champion’s League efforts seem to be taking it’s toll on the Andalusian club and this I feel is another reason for their recent dip in form. The main squad is small and most of the first team players have played many games already this season.
Star Player….
Valencia, whom I highlighted in my mid week column, are possibly going the opposite way to their hosts. Renowned slow starters They have now won four and drawn two of their last six. Coach Mauricio Pellegrino, a former Valencia defender, is only in the job a few months but seems to have effortlessly gained the respect of the senior Valencia players. The forty one year old has brought in some new blood in the summer, in particular the Mexican international midfielder Andreas Guard ado. This Season Pellegrino has opted to grant the twenty two year old ‘box to box’ midfielder, Sofiane Feghouli , a regular first team place, a decision he has not regretted. For me the Algerian youngster is one of the main reasons for ‘Los Che’s’ climb up the table and we will be hearing a lot more about Feghouli in the years ahead.
CL Hangovers….
As stated above both of these teams played midweek and this is something we will have to take in to account when deciding our financial play for this week. Valencia played out a one all draw at home to Bayern Munich when they had to play the German side with ten men for an hour, quite successfully. Malaga had to make the very long journey to Russia to play Zenit. The Spanish side went two up however quite visibly tired in the latter part of the game and left the Russian state with a two all draw. Malaga are a fairly decent side with a top coach but I do feel that they are punching above their weight.
They have a small squad and the rumoured wages issue will obviously cause friction amongst the playing staff. Valencia on the other hand seem to be on the up. The main weakness of this Valencia squad is their form on the road, having played six La Liga away games, they have lost four and drawn two.
Are we there yet…..
Malaga are going to be in for possibly their toughest home game of their season to date. The home side would be happy with a draw here considering their recent Russian trip and knowing they are playing one of La Liga’s top sides. I feel that their Valencia visitors will have had morale boosted hugely by their recent mid week result and will be coming here full of confidence. They have not won away from home in La Liga yet this season however ‘Los Che’ are improving all the time and their first away day victory is just around the corner and I believe it will arrive at La Rosaleda.
Betting on BETDAQ-Greg’s Picks:
BACK 2 Points VALENCIA to Win @ 3.9
PROFIT TO DATE: 17.64 POINTS
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