Valencia vs. Getafe
Valencia captain José Luis Gayà was shown a red card in the 0-1 defeat in Pamplona and will now be suspended when his team faces in-form Getafe at Mestalla on Friday evening. The visitors come to Valencia with six points from two games and fourth place in the table, while the hosts are still waiting for their first win of the season with just one point in 15th place. Carlos Corberán will have to plan with Jesús Vázquez as a replacement on the left side of defense, a forced personnel change that could further dent the hosts’ already fragile confidence. In last season’s head-to-head, Valencia won 3-0, but the omens have shifted since then. José Bordalás’ team could field Christantus Uche, whose move to Wolverhampton recently fell through due to the Nigerian’s salary demands. Despite Valencia’s poor start to the season, the bookmakers see the home side as clear favorites, a confidence that has yet to be proven on the pitch.
- Venue: Estadio de Mestalla, Valencia
- Date and time: 08/29/2025, 9:30 p.m.
- Competition: Primera División (Matchday 3)
Valencia form & record check
Valencia is going through a phase that is giving even optimistic observers pause for thought. After two league games, the club is in 15th place in the table with just one point. The statistics reveal worrying patterns: in the last five games, there has not been a single win, either at half-time or over 90 minutes. Particularly striking is the lack of offensive power in the first half. Valencia failed to score before the break in all five of their most recent matches, while the team conceded goals throughout. The recent 0-1 defeat in Pamplona against Osasuna exemplified their current difficulties. Gayà’s early red card in the 22nd minute after a tactical foul forced coach Carlos Corberán to switch to a 5-3-1 formation. The team showed more commitment than before despite being a man down, but were unable to make up the deficit. The personnel situation remains tense: Gayà is suspended, while Correia is still out with a cruciate ligament rupture. Jesús Vázquez is likely to replace the captain on the left side of defense. On a positive note, Diego López has extended his contract until 2029 and could provide some impetus, at least offensively.
Valencia are likely to line up in their usual 4-4-2 formation, which Carlos Corberán has favored in the first two games of the season. The biggest change from the Osasuna game concerns the left-back position, as captain Gayà is suspended after receiving a red card. Jesús Vázquez is considered the hottest candidate for the left side of defense. The young Spaniard came on in Pamplona after Gayà was sent off and impressed Corberán with his performance. In midfield, the tried-and-tested quartet of Diego López, Javi Guerra, Pepelu, and Rioja could once again be given the nod. Up front, Danjuma and Raba are likely to form the strike duo.
Getafe Form & Record Check
Getafe is in impeccable form at the start of the season and leads the table with six points from two games. José Bordalás’ team impressed both at Celta Vigo (0-2) and most recently at Sevilla (1-2). An interesting pattern has emerged in the last five games: Getafe always goes into the break with a draw, but then regularly wins the second half. Against Sevilla, it was once again Adrián Liso who laid the foundation for success with a brace. The young striker benefits from the creativity of Luis Milla, who has already set up both goals. However, personnel problems off the pitch are significantly dampening the sporting euphoria. The club is unable to register up to six players due to fair play regulations. Christantus Uche’s planned move to Wolverhampton has fallen through after the Nigerian rejected the terms of the contract and prefers to spend another season maturing under Bordalás. Getafe currently shares the top spots in the league with Real Madrid, Athletic Club, and Atlético Madrid, although this position could prove deceptive if administrative difficulties continue to affect the squad’s strength.
José Bordalás is likely to rely on his tried-and-tested back five and field the team in a 5-3-2 formation. Soria could start in goal, while the defensive line is likely to consist of Iglesias, Djené, Duarte, Rico, and Davinchi. In midfield, I expect to see the trio of Martín, Milla, and Arambarri, who have worked well together so far. Up front, Liso and the much-coveted Uche could form the strike partnership, although the latter’s future remains a topic of discussion after his transfer to Wolverhampton fell through. With six points from two games, things are going well for the Azulones at the moment, so Bordalás will probably opt for continuity.
H2H Valencia – Getafe Head-to-head & statistics
The last five meetings between Valencia and Getafe show a balanced record with two wins each and one draw. Valencia won both home games, while Getafe could only manage a draw away at Mestalla. The most recent encounter in May 2025 ended in a clear 3-0 win for Valencia at home, which was also the highest-scoring game of the last five encounters. Prior to that, there had been a 1-1 draw in Getafe in October 2024. There is a clear pattern in the timing of the goals: neither team has scored in the second half in the last five meetings, with the exception of Valencia’s 3-0 win. The encounters typically develop very calmly, with a series of four games under 2.5 goals. Getafe has only managed to secure its two victories in front of its home crowd, with narrow 1-0 wins in December 2023 and February 2023. Valencia will try to play to its home strength against Getafe once again.
The first tip of under 2.5 goals is backed up by Valencia’s disastrous offense, which has remained below this mark in all of its last five games. Getafe may have more momentum, but Bordalás’ teams are rarely known for spectacular performances. The second tip on the double chance X2 is justified by the difference in form: while Getafe has won three of its last five games, Valencia is still waiting for its first win of the season. The absence of Gayà and Correia further weakens the shaky defense, while Uche is available for the visitors for the time being despite transfer speculation. The betting market rates Valencia as the clear favorite at 2.2, but the analysis suggests a much more even contest. The riskier bet on over 1.5 goals in the second half speculates that both teams will have to be more offensive after the break, with Valencia’s defensive personnel problems potentially opening up space for Getafe’s attack led by Borja Mayoral.
