VALENCIA v SPORTING GIJON
Football : Spain : Primera
Saturday 19th February 2011

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Valencia may have Champions League distractions and a poor record against Sporting Gijon, but home advantage and form should see Los Che through this fixture safely here.

Always strongest on their own patch against lower ranked opposition, Valencia have racked up 8 wins from 12 at home this season, and with confidence buoyed by 7 wins in 8 games including an impressive win at Atletico last time out there is plenty of momentum about the hosts.

But the midweek draw with Schalke may have an adverse affect. This Valencia side do not have the Champions League experience and resources they once had, so they are more likely to slip up either side of a big European fixture.

And they dont have as good a record at home to Sporting, having not beaten them in the last three attempts.

Gijon were poor in losing at Bilbao two weeks ago, but either side of that result form has been anything but. Three wins on the spin preceded the Basque match, whilst a 1-1 draw with a Barcelona side distracted by Champions League was not undeserved.

In spite of this, Valencia are the most likely winners and should be backed. But stakes should reflect the risk.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Valencia 2 Sporting 1

PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE :

Valenica 60% - Draw 30% - Gijon 10%

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Valencia to win on -0.5, -1 AH at 1.71 at Canbet