Valencia vs Celta Vigo Prediction: Fair fight on Baraja-Benitez reunion

Master meets apprentice in La Liga on Saturday afternoon (15:15), as Rafael Benitez takes Celta Vigo to his old stomping ground of Mestalla to face Valencia, who are managed by his former player Ruben Baraja.

The 63-year-old is in no mood for emotional reunions, though, with Os Celestes without a win since September 1st. That 3-2 victory over Almeria remains their only one of the league campaign, and time is surely ticking on the Champions League winner's future if these run of results continue.

Baraja has credited Benitez as one of his managerial references, but the ex-Liverpool and Real Madrid boss may be better served learning from his former midfield general, who has inspired Los Ches to three wins in their last four games at Mestalla.

Team News

There are no fresh injury concerns for Valencia, who expect to be without Selim Amallah and Andre Almeida again.

Celta Vigo will welcome back midfielder Renato Tapia this weekend, after the Peruvian sat out their last game through suspension.

Match Odds

Valencia are 23/20 to record a third consecutive victory, while Celta Vigo are 5/2 to break out of their nine-game winless run in the league. The draw is priced at 9/4.

Both teams to score is 5/6 and it's 11/10 for over 2.5 goals.

Both teams to score @ 5/6

BTTS has won in 62% (8/13) of Celta's league games this season, with the figure at 46% (6/13) for Valencia. The chances of both teams scoring on Saturday looks likelier when viewing Valencia at home and Celta away, however.

Los Ches have scored in all but one of their six games at the Mestalla, while Benitez's side have only failed to score once away from home. Celta have scored 10 on their travels, including three against Athletic Club and two against Barcelona, with only four clubs scoring more away.

Valencia will be expected to take the game to the struggling visitors in front of their own fans, while Celta are desperate for a positive result - ideally a win - as they look to climb up the table.

Under 62.5 booking points @ EVS

Despite amassing three red cards already, only four clubs are below Celta in the disciplinary table, as they have picked up the fewest yellow cards (22) in La Liga.

One of those clubs is Valencia, who have picked up 23 yellows cards and one red, ranking them as the most disciplined team in the league alongside Real Madrid.

It has to be said that these bets can often be - forgive the expression - volatile, and one moment of madness can produce a deluge of booking points.

However, in a meeting between two of the most disciplined teams in the division, under 62.5 booking points at EVS is tempting. The bet has won in nine of Celta's 13 games, and in seven of Valencia's.

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