As the seventh round of the Spanish La Liga concludes, all eyes turn to Estadio de Mestalla where Valencia are set to face newly-promoted Real Oviedo on Monday, September 29, 2025, at 19:00 UTC. This encounter pits a Valencia side, buoyed by solid home form, against a Real Oviedo team desperately seeking to find their footing in the top flight. The atmosphere at Mestalla is always electric, and with both teams having distinct objectives for the season, the stakes are high. Can Valencia continue their dominance on home turf, or will Real Oviedo spring a surprise and finally kickstart their challenging campaign?
Head-to-Head History
The history between Valencia and Real Oviedo spans a considerable period, with the two clubs having met a total of 90 times across various competitions.
- Total Matches Played: 90
- Valencia Wins: 43
- Real Oviedo Wins: 23
- Draws: 24
When playing at home, Valencia have a particularly strong record against Real Oviedo, securing 32 victories in 45 games at Mestalla, while Real Oviedo have managed only four wins on Valencia’s home ground. Intriguingly, Real Oviedo have not recorded a win against Valencia in their last nine meetings, a streak that includes four losses and three draws, with their last victory dating back to January 1997. The most recent encounter between these two sides was a goalless draw in April 2001.
Current Form & Team News
Valencia
Valencia currently sit in the middle of the La Liga table, occupying either 11th or 12th position with eight points accumulated from their opening six matches. Their recent form has been a mixed bag of results, with their last five league outings showing a pattern of draws, wins, and losses (D-W-L-W-L). Most recently, Carlos Corberán’s side played out a frustrating 2-2 draw away against Espanyol, conceding a late equalizer.
However, Valencia’s home form has been a stark contrast to their away struggles. They remain unbeaten in their three home matches this season, securing seven of their eight points at Estadio de Mestalla. This includes impressive consecutive victories over Getafe (3-0) and Athletic Bilbao (2-0), alongside a 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad.
Key players for Valencia include top scorer Hugo Duro with four goals, supported by Arnaut Danjuma and Diego Lopez, who each have two goals. Luis Rioja and Javier Guerra have been instrumental in creating chances, both contributing two assists. Goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala has also kept two clean sheets this season. Coach Carlos Corberán acknowledged that his team sometimes plays too high, leaving them vulnerable defensively, a tactical aspect he may address for this fixture.
Real Oviedo
Real Oviedo’s return to the Spanish top flight has been a challenging one so far. Veljko Paunović’s men find themselves in the relegation zone, sitting 18th or 19th in the league with a mere three points from six games. Their recent form reflects their struggles, having lost five of their opening six matches, including their last three consecutive games. Their most recent result was a 3-1 home defeat against a high-flying Barcelona side.
A significant concern for Real Oviedo is their dismal away record. They have lost all three of their away matches this season, failing to score a single goal in those fixtures against Elche, Getafe, and Villarreal. Leading goal scorers for Oviedo are Santi Cazorla and Nacho Vidal, each with two goals.
In terms of team news, Real Oviedo are expected to be without several injured players, including David Costas, Oviemuno Ejaria, Alvaro Lemos, and Nacho Vidal. However, Federico Vinas will be available for selection after serving his two-game suspension, providing a potential boost to their attacking options.
Tactical Preview
Valencia are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on their robust defensive structure and quick transitions. At Mestalla, they are known for their aggressive defensive approach and will aim to control the midfield battle through the likes of Baptiste Santamaria and Javier Guerra. Their attacking threats will primarily come from the in-form Hugo Duro upfront, supported by creative players like Arnaut Danjuma and Diego Lopez from wider positions. Given Corberán’s recent comments, Valencia might be more cautious defensively to avoid exposing themselves, especially against potential counter-attacks.
Real Oviedo, under Veljko Paunović, are predicted to adopt a 4-3-3 formation. Their primary challenge will be to contain Valencia’s attack and shore up their leaky defense, particularly given their struggles on the road where they have failed to score. The midfield trio of Luka Ilic, Leander Dendoncker, and Alberto Reina will be crucial in disrupting Valencia’s rhythm and trying to initiate offensive plays. The return of Federico Vinas could add much-needed potency to their attack, alongside Haissem Hassan and Ilyas Chaira. However, Oviedo’s overall defensive vulnerabilities, especially away from home, remain a significant concern.
The match is being played at Mestalla, Valencia’s home ground, which provides a significant advantage for the hosts due to the familiar surroundings and passionate support. The weather in Spain in late September is generally mild and pleasant, so it is unlikely to be a major factor. Travel fatigue for Real Oviedo, while present, is typically not a debilitating factor for domestic matches within Spain. The pitch conditions are expected to be pristine, allowing for fluid football.
