Key Facts
- Aaron Escandell (Oviedo) leads the league with 121 saves and faces his former club Valencia – a personal incentive for a strong performance.
- Oviedo sits at the bottom of the table with 18 points and has gone five games without a win; this home match is crucial in the relegation battle.
- Valencia has historically performed poorly away at Carlos Tartiere (four draws and one loss in their last five away games there since 1995/96), which makes for a balanced matchup despite their current form.
- Oviedo has scored in four of its last five league games; Valencia is missing three starting defenders—both factors point to a game with goals from both sides (Both Teams To Score).
- Valencia comes into this match on the back of two consecutive competitive wins and with Ramazani in strong form (three goals in four games), which highlights their attacking threat despite defensive issues.
- In the first leg, Oviedo came from behind to take a 2-1 lead — Valencia’s weakness in the second half could be a factor again.
Aaron Escandell, Oviedo’s starting goalkeeper and the busiest keeper in La Liga with 121 saves, faces his former club Valencia, which has signaled interest in signing him. This adds a special dimension to the matchup, especially as the current standings of both teams lend it additional significance. Oviedo sits at the bottom of the table with 18 points and desperately needs points in the final stretch of the season, while Valencia has climbed to 12th place after two recent wins and is looking to move up further. The teams have already faced each other this season: Oviedo won 2-1 at Mestalla in September, a result that still lingers with Valencia.
- Venue: Estadio Nuevo Carlos Tartiere, Oviedo
- Date and time: March 14, 2026, 6:30 PM
- Competition: La Liga (Matchday 28)
It’s a perfectly realistic expectation that both teams will score: Oviedo has found the net in four of its last five league matches and will press forward aggressively, while Valencia has to make do with three regular starters in defense. X2 seems like a sensible bet: Valencia is gaining momentum with two straight wins, Oviedo hasn’t won in five games, and in Valencia’s last five visits to Carlos Tartiere, there have been four draws and one loss, which provides additional insurance.
Oviedo Form & Record Check
Oviedo recently drew 1-1 at Espanyol. Alberto Reina scored early, Thiago Fernández provided the assist in his first start, but Espanyol equalized before halftime and Oviedo couldn’t find a way to win. Five league games without a win, three losses, two draws: Oviedo are in a real slump. Added to this is a pattern that is likely to worry coach Guillermo Almada. In four of their last five matches, his team has conceded goals in the second half; defensive stability is crumbling as the game progresses. Still, David Costas could be fit, Eric Bailly has returned to team training, and the only defensive player definitely out is Lucas Ahijado. Up front, the Asturians have options: Viñas with five goals this season, Chaira and Hassan to provide width, and Santi Cazorla as a creative force in midfield when he’s fit. The only problem is: they simply aren’t managing to turn chances and pressure into points right now.
Lineup (4-2-3-1): Escandell (GK); Vidal (RB), Costas (CB), Carmo (CB), López (LB); Sibo (DM), Fonseca (DM); Fernández (RW), Reina (CAM), Ilic (LW); Viñas (ST).
Bench/likely substitutes: Backup goalkeeper, alternatives at the fullback positions for Vidal and López, additional center backs for rotation, as well as central and creative midfield options and attackers who can change the game when needed.
Injuries/Availability: Ahijado is the only defensive player out, but given the available options, this can certainly be compensated for. Costas’ return to near-peak form, on the other hand, is a noticeable boost for the center-back line.
Tactical Note: The double-six pairing of Sibo and Fonseca provides defensive cover and stability, allowing Fernández, Reina, and Ilic Viñas to support the attack and initiate quick transitions. Minor personnel or tactical adjustments are still possible before kickoff, but based on all available information, this is currently the most well-rehearsed formation.
Valencia Form & Record Check
Valencia’s 3-2 win against Alavés last Sunday, which was turned around late in the game, followed a 1-0 victory over Osasuna and gave coach Corberán two league wins in a row. The Alavés match produced strong stats: 19 shots, eight of them on target. Ramazani has scored in three of his last four league appearances. Valencia has settled on a midfield trio of Guido Rodríguez, Ugrinic, and Javi Guerra, with Javi Guerra recently showing his scoring touch again. Sadiq and Hugo Duro have found a working partnership up front. Lucas Beltrán is returning to training, but is unlikely to start after his time on the sidelines. Defensively, Copete, Diakhaby, and Foulquier remain sidelined with injuries, which limits options on the flanks should Tárrega or Núñez run into trouble. This is a structural weakness that Oviedo is likely to factor into his plans.
Valencia is likely to stick with the 4-3-3 formation that has worked in their last two matches in a row, with Giorgi Dimitrievski in goal. The back four is expected to consist of Thierry Correia on the right, Hugo Guillamón, Núñez, and Cömert in central defense, and José Gayà on the left.
The midfield trio of Guido Rodríguez, Petar Ugrinic, and Javi Guerra is expected to remain unchanged. This combination has performed well in recent weeks and strikes the right balance between defensive solidity and build-up play.
Up front, Jesús Vázquez Rioja is expected on the right, Umar Sadiq in the center, and Collins Ramazani on the left. Sadiq and Ramazani have been instrumental in Valencia’s recent offensive resurgence and are likely to pose the greatest threat against Oviedo’s defense as well.
Notable absences include Jorge Copete, Mouctar Diakhaby, and Youcef Foulquier, all of whom are sidelined with long-term injuries. Hugo Beltrán has returned to team training following his knee issues, but after several weeks out, a starting spot against Oviedo is likely still too soon.
Oviedo – Valencia Head-to-Head & Statistics
The most recent head-to-head match this season took place at Mestalla in late September: Valencia led at halftime but conceded two goals after the break and ultimately lost 2-1, revealing a second-half weakness that both teams have shown frequently this season. Valencia has not won a league match at the Carlos Tartiere since 1995/96, with five away appearances without a win (four draws, one loss). This unusual statistic explains why bookmakers view the match as so evenly matched despite Valencia’s recent strong form.
