Croatia
Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

Preview: Huesca vs Real Valladolid - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 16 October 2020, 20:16

The only two clubs yet to win a game in La Liga this season come face to face on Sunday as Real Valladolid travel to Huesca.

Valladolid sit bottom of the table going into the match, while Huesca have kept themselves above the relegation zone with four draws from five games.

Match preview

© Reuters

Despite not having a victory to their name, it has not necessarily been a disastrous start to the season for Huesca considering that three of their draws have come against Villarreal, Valencia and Atletico Madrid - all teams who have played European football in the last couple of years.

Last time out, Michel 's side played out a 0-0 stalemate with Elche, ruing several missed chances as they took 18 shots in total.

Improving their attacking threat has to be a priority if they are to survive relegation in only their second ever top-flight campaign.

Last season Huesca were promoted from the Segunda Division as champions but were still outscored by three other clubs.

Only Elche have scored fewer than Huesca's two goals this season, and those both came from defenders - one-time Manchester City prospect Pablo Maffeo and Greek centre-back Dimitris Siovas.

© Reuters

The good news for Huesca is that Real Valladolid have not kept a clean sheet away from home in their last nine attempts, last doing so against RCD Mallorca at the start of February.

They finished 13th in La Liga last season - their highest placing since 2002 - but sold star performer Mohammed Salisu to Southampton in the summer, while joint-top scorer Enes Unal also departed as his loan spell came to an end.

Valladolid have two points from five games so far, but have not been blown away by any team, only losing 1-0 to reigning champions Real Madrid.

Before the international break, Sergio Gonzalez 's side were defeated 2-1 at home by 10-man Eibar, conceding the winning goal in agonising fashion as Kevin Rodrigues netted in the 90th minute.

Huesca La Liga form: DLDDD

Real Valladolid La Liga form: DLDLL

Team News

© Reuters

Shinji Okazaki went off injured in Huesca's draw with Elche and will not be fit for Sunday, meaning the team will rely on Wolves loanee Rafa Mir for goals.

It could also mean that former Valladolid winger Javi Ontiveros is handed a first start since his loan move from Villarreal last month.

Pablo Maffeo is fit again after injury and should start at right-back, leading to Jorge Pulido moving across to the centre of defence.

Real Valladolid centre-back Javi Sanchez is out injured, with Bruno likely to replace him because Joaquin 's fitness is not 100%.

Fabian Orellana is a doubt, so Pablo Hervias should start on the right wing, while influential midfielder Ruben Alcaraz could come in for his first appearance of the season after recovering from injury.

Huesca possible starting lineup:

Fernandez; Maffeo, Pulido, Siovas, Galan; Rico, Mosquera, Garcia; Ferreiro, Mir, Ontiveros

Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:

Roberto; Perez, Bruno, Yamiq, Nacho; Hervias, Alcaraz, Perez, Villa; Plano, Guardiola

We say: Huesca 1-1 Real Valladolid

The wait for a first league win could go on for both teams. Valladolid appear to be slightly stronger, but based off their poor recent away form, they may have to settle for a point against a Huesca side who certainly are not push-overs.

Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or draw in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.

Top News

22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Dundee Utd vs. Celtic (Sunday, 12.00pm) Celtic, looking to maintain their unbeaten run in the Scottish Premiership, will travel to Tannadice Park on Sunday afternoon to face Dundee United. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Everton vs. Chelsea (Sunday, 2.00pm) Chelsea have the chance to go top of the Premier League for a brief time at least when they travel to Goodison Park to face Everton on Sunday. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk South American giants Palmeiras have reportedly sent an 'initial proposal' to Fulham for midfielder Andreas Pereira. 22 December 2024 talksport.com Nuno Espirito Santo will rival Arne Slot to win the Premier League's Manager of the Year award. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona want to sever ties with attacker Ansu Fati at the earliest opportunity in the January transfer window but the player is rebelling against a move, according to a report. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane has confirmed that he wants to remain at the Allianz Arena despite links with a return to the Premier League next year. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Serie A powerhouses Napoli have supposedly expressed an interest in signing Manchester United defender Harry Maguire on a free transfer next summer. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Alexander Sorloth scored a last-gasp winner as Atletico Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-1 at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys to go top of the La Liga table. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal attacker Bukayo Saka has been seen leaving Selhurst Park on crutches after sustaining a suspected hamstring problem in Saturday's 5-1 Premier League win over Crystal Palace. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have written a new page of English football history thanks to their 5-1 destruction of London rivals Crystal Palace in Saturday's Premier League derby. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Round 17 of the 2024-25 Turkish Super Lig will be wrapped up with a clash between two sides from the Marmara region, as Istanbul Basaksehir welcome Kasimpasa to the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadyumu on Monday evening. 21 December 2024 talksport.com Leicester loan star Facundo Buonanotte wants to see a Tottenham forward join him so they can rekindle their partnership. 21 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal's rivals will hate it but they can definitely claim London is red after their 5-1 win over Crystal Palace. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus continued his resurgence with two goals as the Gunners demolished Crystal Palace 5-1 in the Premier League at Selhurst Park. 21 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal fans' worst fears have been realised with Bukayo Saka substituted early with a suspected hamstring injury. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have suffered a worrying injury blow over Bukayo Saka, who appeared to pick up a hamstring problem in Saturday's Premier League clash with Crystal Palace. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona and Arsenal are reportedly both interested in signing Sevilla midfielder Lucien Agoume, with the France Under-21s international potentially leaving Estadio Ramon next summer. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have welcomed Ferland Mendy back into their squad for Sunday's La Liga clash with Sevilla. 21 December 2024 talksport.com Mykhailo Mudryk will be sat ringside at Oleksandr Usyk's rematch with Tyson Fury days after being suspended from football. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Southampton have confirmed the appointment of former Roma head coach Ivan Juric as their new manager following the departure of Russell Martin. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Newcastle United's 4-0 victory against Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon at Portman Road ensured that they followed up their qualification for the EFL Cup semi-final with an important three points in the Premier League. 21 December 2024 talksport.com Southampton have confirmed ex-Roma boss Ivan Juric as their new manager to replace Russell Martin. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest enhanced their Champions League credentials and condemned Brentford to their first home loss of the Premier League season with a 2-0 victory at the Gtech Community Stadium. 21 December 2024 talksport.com Jack Grealish burned some bridges with Aston Villa after taunting the club's fans following their victory over Manchester City. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A fitting final Premier League match before Christmas Day, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool engage in a battle of the behemoths in North London on Sunday afternoon. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa handed Manchester City a 2-1 defeat on Saturday, adding to the woes of Pep Guardiola's side, who have now endured nine losses in their last 12 matches. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has claimed that his side decided to defeat Manchester City "through domination" on Saturday afternoon. 21 December 2024 talksport.com "This is a crisis." 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will be bidding to return to winning ways in La Liga when they welcome Sevilla to Bernabeu on Sunday. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have added Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk to their wishlist for the summer transfer window, according to a report.