Javier Aguirre takes charge of Valencia for the first time on Sunday, at 8pm UK time. His debut comes at the Campos de Sport de El Sardinero against Racing Santander. Jose Alberto’s promoted side sit 16th on seven points, three ahead of second-bottom Valencia. A home win would open a handy gap over the bottom three.
Anthony Eadson’s Racing Santander vs Valencia predictions, best bets and score prediction are below.
Premium Tips
Anthony Eadson has picked out two Premium Tips for Racing Santander vs Valencia, both built around Racing’s goal threat at El Sardinero.
| Premium Tip | Odds | Why we’re backing it |
|---|---|---|
| Racing Santander over 1.5 goals | Evens (Paddy Power) | Racing have scored at least twice in all three home league games, drawing 2-2 with Villarreal before beating Elche 3-2 and Alaves 2-1. Across all seven matches, they have hit two or more goals five times. Yassir Zabiri, LaLiga’s best Under-23 player for September, already has six goals from just 14 shots. Valencia, meanwhile, have conceded 13 times in seven games. That includes three at Deportivo La Coruna and three at home to Real Sociedad last time out. Javier Aguirre has had less than three weeks to fix that defence, and September reports listed Cesar Tarrega and Justin de Haas as injured. Two or more Racing goals looks a fair shout at evens. |
| Racing Santander to win and both teams to score | 3/1 (bet365) | Racing have conceded in all seven league games this season. A home clean sheet looks unlikely, even against a Valencia side with only four goals. Los Che have still found the net in two of their three away trips, at Deportivo La Coruna and in their 1-0 win at Alaves. Both of Racing’s home wins featured goals at each end, 3-2 against Elche and 2-1 against Alaves. Every game at El Sardinero has also produced at least three goals. On the other hand, Valencia have lost five of seven, and Aguirre takes charge for the first time away from home. A Racing win with goals at both ends pays 3/1, and that fits how their games tend to go. |
18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. GambleAware — gambleaware.org · Odds correct at time of publishing.
How Racing Santander go into the game
Racing started their first top-flight campaign since 2012 brightly at home. They drew 2-2 with Villarreal, with Andres Martin scoring from the spot and Sergio Martinez also on target. Yassir Zabiri then hit a hat-trick in a 3-2 win over Elche. He also scored twice in a 2-1 win over Alaves, although Andre Almeida saw red late on. Away from home, they lost 1-0 at Getafe and 3-2 at Rayo Vallecano.
Racing then lost 7-2 at Barcelona and 5-0 at Celta Vigo last time out. That leaves them with 21 goals conceded, the most in the division. As for team news, Andres Martin has returned to partial training after a sprain. Pablo Ramon is back in the group, while Juan Carlos Arana has been nursing a knock.
How Valencia go into the game
Valencia opened with a goalless draw at home to Celta Vigo. They then lost 1-0 to Real Betis at Mestalla and 3-1 at Deportivo La Coruna. A 5-0 home defeat by Barcelona and a 1-0 loss at Sevilla followed. Luis Rioja’s 78th-minute goal then earned a 1-0 win at Alaves.
Last time out, Valencia lost 3-2 at home to Real Sociedad. Only Malaga have scored fewer than Valencia’s four goals, and Arnaut Danjuma is still waiting for his first despite 15 shots. Aguirre arrived in late September and has had more than a fortnight to prepare. However, reports last month listed Cesar Tarrega and Justin de Haas as injured.
Racing Santander vs Valencia head-to-head
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29/01/12 | Racing Santander | 2-2 | Valencia |
| 27/08/11 | Valencia | 4-3 | Racing Santander |
| 31/01/11 | Racing Santander | 1-1 | Valencia |
| 11/09/10 | Valencia | 1-0 | Racing Santander |
These two sides have not met since January 2012. That game ended 2-2 at El Sardinero after a late Racing equaliser. Valencia won 4-3 at Mestalla earlier that season. They are also unbeaten in the last four meetings, with two wins and two draws.
Racing Santander vs Valencia predictions & betting tips
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Racing Santander over 1.5 goals | Evens (Paddy Power) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Racing have scored twice or more in all three home games. |
| Racing Santander to win and both teams to score | 3/1 (bet365) | ⭐⭐ | Racing have conceded in all seven games, and both home wins had goals at each end. |
| Over 2.5 goals | 4/6 (William Hill) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Six of Racing’s seven league games have produced three goals or more. |
| Yassir Zabiri to score anytime | 11/8 (bet365) | ⭐⭐ | Zabiri has six goals from 14 shots, with eight on target. |
| Racing Santander 2-1 Valencia | 8/1 (bet365) | ⭐⭐ | Our score prediction, matching Racing’s 2-1 win over Alaves in their last home game. |
Racing Santander vs Valencia score prediction
Games at El Sardinero rarely stay tight, and the hosts have scored at least twice in every home game. Valencia should find a way through a defence that has conceded in every match. However, Aguirre’s side have lost five of seven, and Zabiri gives Racing the sharper edge. Score prediction: Racing Santander 2-1 Valencia.
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