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Valencia are likely to have too much for the Islanders
Marcelino could turn the Mestalla into a fortress
La Liga
Sky Sports red button, 9.15pm Friday
There have been enough false dawns at Valencia in recent years to make those connected with the club wary of getting excited about the start of La Liga but Los Che can at least begin their campaign with a home win over Las Palmas.
Valencia look to have got their managerial appointment spot-on with Marcelino taking over at the Mestalla and they could be meeting Las Palmas at exactly the right time.
The visitors have lost manager Quique Setien to Real Betis and top goalscorer Kevin-Prince Boateng walked out on the club from Gran Canaria on the eve of the season, citing personal problems.
Roque Mesa, the man who made Las Palmas tick in midfield, has departed for Swansea and new boss Manuel Marquez has walked into a difficult job having been promoted from within the set-up.
The Islanders collected only one point from their final seven La Liga matches last season and their recruitment has not been great.
Jonathan Calleri has much to prove after a poor time at West Ham and it could mean Las Palmas are unable to penetrate a weakness in the Valencia rearguard.
Valencia cannot be considered good things with centre-backs Ezequiel Garay and Aymen Abdennour wanting to leave the club but they have enough quality to claim maximum points with Joao Cancelo, Jose Gaya, Simone Zaza and Dani Prejo in their ranks.
Recommendation
Valencia
1pt 17-20 bet365
Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com
Published on inLa Liga
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