Verdict: Both teams to score – No
Best Odds: 5/6
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Turning their attention back to Copa del Rey action on Tuesday night, a downbeat Valencia will travel to Asturias when they meet Sporting Gijon.
Sporting Gijon
Starting with the hosts, while Sporting Gijon might have found themselves at the heart of a worrying rut on either side of November’s international break, Borja Jimenez’s side have come roaring back in an eye-catching fashion over the past fortnight. Last seen over the weekend putting in another gritty performance as they secured a 1-0 victory at home against Granada, Los Rojiblancos have found a route back into the play-off places. With their sights set on securing a lucrative La Liga return this season, the former Leganes boss will be smelling the chance to claim a heavyweight Copa del Rey scalp here. Extending on their adventure earlier in the month as they secured an eye-catching 2-0 win away at Mirandes, Sporting Gijon have won all of their previous three appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 4-0.
Sporting Gijon Team News
Both still dealing with respective injury issues, Sporting Gijon will once again be without the duo of academy graduate Pablo Garcia and one-time Porto midfielder Mamadou Loum. However, serving their own Segunda suspensions over the weekend, Lucas Perrin and Justin Smith will return to Jimenez’s squad.
Bagging a Copa del Rey strike away at Mirandes on December 3rd, 20-year-old Manuel Rodriguez should get some more minutes. Completing a permanent switch from Deportivo La Coruna over the summer, Pablo Vazquez will start at the heart of Sporting’s defence.
Valencia
As for the visitors, while there might have been plenty of excitement around the Mestalla 12 months ago following Carlos Corberan’s arrival, Valencia have come crashing back down to earth this season. Eventually falling to a 2-1 loss away at Atletico Madrid over the weekend, the former West Brom boss certainly has some mounting pressure on his shoulders. Despite dragging themselves past Segunda outfit Cartagena earlier in the month as they extended on their Copa del Rey charge, Los Ches have remarkably registered just a sole win from any of their previous 11 consecutive La Liga appearances. Although Valencia might have stormed their way to a routine 4-0 romp when they last travelled to Asturias back in January 2023, Corberan’s downbeat squad could be set for a tricky test on the road.
Valencia Team News
Shown a late Copa del Rey red card away at Cartagena on December 4th, French midfielder Baptiste Santamaria will miss out through suspension here. However, serving a one-match La Liga ban against Atletico Madrid over the weekend, Cesar Tarrega will return to Los Ches’ travelling squad on Tuesday night.
Not featuring since the start of October, Guinea international Mouctar Diakhaby remains on the sidelines with a hamstring issue. Only making a camp appearance off the bench on Saturday, skipper Jose Gaya could be handed a full recall in midweek.
Sporting Gijon vs Valencia Key Factors to Consider
- When Valencia last travelled to Asturias for a Copa del Rey showdown back in January 2023, Los Ches stormed their way to an empathic 4-0 victory.
- However, Valencia have remarkably registered just a single win from any of their last 11 La Liga appearances.
- Sporting Gijon have won each of their last three appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 4-0.
- Tuesday’s hosts are unbeaten in all of their previous six home fixtures across all competitions.
- Valencia have recorded just a single away win away from the Mestalla within 90 minutes so far this season.
Conclusion
Although Valencia might have stormed their way to a 4-0 victory when they last travelled to Asturias for a Copa del Rey showdown back in 2023, Los Ches could be set for a far more challenging night here. At the heart of a La Liga relegation scrap and coming under a huge amount of scrutiny, Tuesday’s guests will also meet a resurgent Sporting Gijon squad. Winning each of their previous three appearances across all competitions, the Segunda outfit have also found some real defensive steel.
Verdict: Both teams to score – No
Best Odds: 5/6
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
