Preview: Parla Escuela vs. Valencia – prediction, team news, lineups

Valencia will begin their Copa del Rey campaign when they travel to Madrid for Wednesday’s meeting with sixth-tier Parla Escuela.

Los Che will be looking to return to winning ways after failing to win any of their previous four La Liga matches.

Match preview

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Parla are competing in the Copa del Rey after securing qualification via last season’s sixth-placed finish in Group 2 of Categoría Preferente.

In contrast to their opponents, the sixth-tier side have already been in Copa del Rey action this season, having negotiated a preliminary round tie against Sonseca.

After playing out a goalless draw in 90 minutes, Parla went on to score the decisive goal in extra time to set up a dream tie against Valencia.

While they may have done enough in the preliminary round, Parla have found wins hard to come by this season, having won just one of their nine competitive matches in regulation time.

They are also yet to clinch a home win in the 2024-25 campaign, having drawn each of their three home matches, proving that they will have their work cut out if they are to trouble their La Liga opponents on Wednesday.

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Valencia may welcome the distraction of cup action, having mustered just one win in 11 La Liga matches this season.

As a result of their poor league form, Los Che are currently languishing at the foot of the table with seven points to their name and three points separating them from safety.

Ruben Baraja‘s side appeared to be on course to claim a much-needed win in Sunday’s away clash against Getafe, with Enzo Barrenechea scoring his first La Liga goal to put his side in a strong position.

However, Getafe’s Mauro Arambarri netted a 90th-minute penalty to snatch a point and extend Valencia’s winless away run to nine competitive matches.

Valencia will now turn their attention to the Copa del Rey – a competition that they have won on eight previous occasions, including in 2018-19.

Before they can look too far ahead, Valencia will try to negotiate Wednesday’s fixture as they look to avoid their first round-one exit since 2001-02.

Parla Escuela Copa del Rey form:

Parla Escuela Copa del Rey form (all competitions):

Valencia form (all competitions):

Team News

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Parla Escuela are likely to line up with a back four of Adrian Almendros, Daniel Sanchez, David Serrano and Jesus Maria Sanchez.

Meanwhile, 27-year-old striker Miguel Fuentes is expected to be given the lonely task of leading the line against top-flight opposition.

Meanwhile, Valencia are without Mouctar Diakhaby and Rafa Mir, while Jesus Vazquez is unlikely to be involved after sitting out the last four matches with an adductor injury.

Defender Thierry Correia has joined the absentee list after he was stretchered off with a knee injury in the 1-1 draw against Getafe.

Luis Rioja picked up a hamstring issue in Sunday’s away clash, and the winger will have to be assessed ahead of the midweek cup game.

In a bid to manage his players’ workload, Baraja will take the opportunity to make several changes to his side, with Stole Dimitrievski, Yarek Gasiorowski, Fran Perez and German Valera among those who could be considered for a starting berth.

Parla Escuela possible starting lineup:
Mata; Almendros, D. Sanchez, Serrano, J. Sanchez; Garcia, Romero; Greciano, Salmeron, Muelas; Fuentes

Valencia possible starting lineup:
Dimitrievski; Foulquier, Gasiorowski, Tarrega, Abajas; Guillamon, Almeida; Perez, Canos, Valera; Gomez

We say: Parla Escuela 1-3 Valencia

Valencia will be low on confidence after winning just one of their 11 league matches this season, but while they may be struggling in La Liga, they should have enough quality at their disposal to claim a relatively comfortable victory in Wednesday’s contest.

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