Europa League preview and odds: Valencia vs Rapid Vienna

Published on: 16/02/2016

Europa League preview and odds: Valencia vs Rapid Vienna

February 18, 2016 20:05pm - Estadi de Mestalla

Europa League - Round of 32, First leg

Valencia have been sinking slowly in the league, but can they up their game on the European stage? They will need to be at their best to find a way past Group E winners Rapid Vienna.

Valencia looking for positives

Gary Neville finally bagged his first league win as Valencia boss last week - however, the victory came against an Espanyol side that had lost their eight previous away games in a row. The Englishman will now go in search of a positive result in the Europa League, as he attempts to win over the unimpressed Mestalla faithful.

Los Che were already on their way out of the Champions League when Neville arrived, so this will be his first chance to make his mark on the European stage. His team have won just three of their last 12 matches at home in all competitions, so he may have his work cut out once again.

Rapid impressive in group stage

Rapid Vienna are playing in the latter stages of a European tournament for the first time since the mid-90s. The Austrian club progressed to the Round of 32 by finishing top of Group E with a total of 15 points - only Napoli qualified with a higher points tally.

Rapid started their European campaign in the Champions League qualifiers, and have been beaten just once in their five away games so far. That 1-0 defeat came at the hands of another Spanish side, Villarreal.

Team news

For the home side Mustafi is suspended, while Abdennour, amd Javi Fuego are both injured.

Meanwhile, the visitors will be without Dibon, Novota and Schaub.

Recent form (All competitions)

Valencia: WDLLL

Rapid Vienna: WLWDW

Betting odds and tips

Rapid Vienna have already beaten Ajax, Dinamo Minsk and Viktoria Plzen, and drawn at Shaktar Donetsk on the road this term. They were unlucky to lose 1-0 at Villarreal and could cause the beleagured Valencia boss yet more problems in this game.

The Rapid Vienna/Draw Double Chance looks like a good bet at 23/20 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 16/02/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (16/02/2016 17:20:38) but are subject to change.