Valencia v Monaco predictions, tips, odds, lineups and free bets (Champions League qualifiers -1st leg- 19.8.2015)

Wednesday, 19 August 2015 13:00
Written by Simon Bettarini

Monaco travel to Spain to take on Valencia at the Mestalla on Wednesday Night in one of the most interesting Championgs League play-off of the week. Thi article contains our VALENCIA v MONACO match preview with betting tips, predictions, lineups, odds, free bets and no deposit bonuses

Open a new account and claim a €/£5 no deposit free bet through live chat

VALENCIA v MONACO BETTING PREVIEW

Valencia fnished fourth in La Liga last term and are aiming to return to the competition proper after a two-year absence. They did make several promising signings this summer, with Matt Ryan, Danilo Barbosa, Zakaria Bakkali and Santi Mina joining. Anyway, their pre-season results were extremely poor as Los Che suffered defeats to Bayern, Koln and AS Roma, while sharing spoils with Werder and FC Porto.

Valencia boss Nuno Espirito Santo is still without first-choice goalkeeper Diego Alves, which could mean an official debut for summer signing Mathew Ryan between the sticks. Furthermore, Los Che will be without defender Nicolas Otamendi, who is on the verge of completing a move to Manchester City, and Ruben Vezo is expected to replace the Argentine in the heart of the back line.

Monaco have been pretty impressive at the start of the new season, hammering Young Boys in the CL qualifying stages with a comfortable 7-1 aggregate victory, while starting the Ligue 1 campaign with an away triumph over Nice. Former AC Milan striker El Shaarawy has come in and alot of pressure is on the shoulders of Martial who had a terrific season last year, with Moutinho and Bernardo Silva also expected to step up and fill the boots of the departed Kondogbia, Ferreira Carrasco and campos.

Leonardo Jardim faces some selection problems, seeing as how Joao Moutinho and Layvin Kurzawa are out injured and Aymen Abdennour nears summer exit. Stephan El Shaarawy and Martial are in contention for the central forward berth in attack while Dirar is likely to start alongside Bernardo Silva and Cavaleiro as trequartista.