Valencia vs Newcastle: Prediction, Betting Tips and Match Preview

Newcastle United have parted ways with Eddie Howe, bringing in the young and ambitious Matthias Jaissle to breathe new life into the club. The German’s task is anything but easy: he must learn to win without Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães in midfield. His first test comes against a Valencia side that, under their own tactician, have been suffering from chronic problems in attack.

Tactical Analysis: Valencia

Valencia have now finished outside the top nine in La Liga for seven consecutive seasons, once again missing out on European football. Despite this, the board opted to keep faith in head coach Carlos Corberan, a disciple of Marcelo Bielsa. The “Bats” play a possession-based, control-oriented game, with tactical flexibility, high pressing, and heavy reliance on the flanks. They returned from their break early and have already played five friendlies, with mixed results: losses to modest English side Peterborough Athletic (1–3) and sturdy Castellón (1–2), plus wins over Derby County (2–1) and lowly Eldense (3–0).

The biggest issue last season was a dysfunctional attack. Valencia had plenty of possession but scored only 1.21 goals per game in La Liga. As a result, the club sold forwards Diego López (4 goals, 1 assist in 2025/26), Lucas Beltrán (1 goal, 2 assists in 27 games), and Largie Ramazani (6 goals, 1 assist in 27 appearances). The defence also suffered, with Thierry Randell (24 matches), Eray Cümart (17 matches), and Unai Núñez (13 matches) all departing. Did the board respond adequately? So far, not really. The defensive losses were partially covered by signing Justin De Haas from Portuguese side Famalicão, but no new attackers were brought in.

Valencia are relying entirely on internal resources. By the fifth friendly, Corberan began fielding his strongest players. Arnaut Danjuma appeared and scored. In midfield, Javi Guerra and Filip Ugrinić got minutes, while newcomer Sato Ryunosuke – who scored against Eldense – is settling in well.

Tactical Analysis: Newcastle

Newcastle finished last Premier League season outside the top ten and missed out on European competition once again. The direction of a club that received major investment remains unclear, but the appointment of a new head coach could provide clarity. Matthias Jaissle, a young specialist previously with Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, has taken over. A product of the Red Bull academy, Jaissle pushes his defensive line high, demands aggressive pressing, and plays exclusively vertical, direct football. He has yet to lead his new team in a competitive match, and in pre-season the Magpies have failed to beat lowly Gateshead (1–1) and Championship side Bristol City (1–4).

Newcastle have also suffered colossal losses in personnel. On the left wing, Anthony Gordon (6 goals, 2 assists in 26 Premier League matches in 2025/26) is no longer available. The midfield has lost Sandro Tonali (35 appearances) and Bruno Guimarães (9 goals, 5 assists in 29 matches). In defence, the experienced Kieran Trippier (21 appearances) has also departed. Adequate replacements have not been brought in. Youngsters Sean Steur (from Ajax), Bazoumana Touré (from Hoffenheim), and Alaji Bamba (from Monaco) will fill the midfield spots. Steur even played a full match against Bristol City, but in terms of quality, they are nowhere near replacements for Tonali and Bruno, leaving the Magpies’ reliability and creativity in question.

Ahead of this fixture, Jaissle can count on almost all of his strongest players. Only Tino Livramento and Lewis Miley are sidelined with injuries. Joelinton has returned to training, and Fabian Schär even played minutes. Nick Volmetade and Yoan Wissa have resumed full training. Harvey Barnes, Anthony Elanga, and Joe Willock were all seen in action against Bristol City. The only definite absentee is Dan Burn, who is resting after the 2026 World Cup.

Predicted Lineups

Valencia (4-2-3-1): Dmitrievski – Gayà, De Haas, Tárrega, Monferrer – Ugrinić, Rodríguez – Sato, Guerra, Danjuma – Sadiq

Unavailable: Marí, Canós, López (all injured)

Head coach: Carlos Corberan

Newcastle (4-3-3): Horníček – Murphy, Schär, Botman, Hall – Ramsay, Joelinton, Willock – Elanga, Volmetade, Barnes

Unavailable: Miley, Livramento (both injured)

Head coach: Matthias Jaissle

Prediction and Bet

Main prediction: Newcastle win at 2.35

Newcastle needed a new spark, and they have found it in Matthias Jaissle. The German has already held a tactical meeting with the players, meaning we can expect to see the Magpies play vertical football with quick ball delivery into the opposition box and aggressive pressing. An improvement in the lineup is also expected: Nick Volmetade, a fellow countryman of Jaissle who understands his ideas perfectly, could start as the central striker. The heavy defeat to Bristol City should not be overinterpreted – three of the goals conceded were down to the goalkeeper’s errors, and one was an own goal. Now, a more reliable keeper – Horníček – is expected between the posts, and the backline, having played together, should not commit the same mistakes twice.

Valencia, meanwhile, have still not solved their striker problem. They have virtually no one to create chances: three forwards were sold, Canós and Marí are injured, and Umar Sadiq has struggled to fit into the system, even receiving a red card against Castellón. That leaves only Danjuma. The Bats were unable to beat modest Coventry City, and against a Premier League side, it will be even tougher. Back Newcastle to win.

Prediction for total: Both teams to score – Yes at 1.52

Valencia have not taken their scoring form to a new level, but in this pre-season they are still averaging 1.6 goals per game. Newcastle are averaging exactly the same number of goals conceded per match this summer. The arrival of a new coach should give the Magpies a boost, so they are likely to find their chances. Betting on both teams to score at 1.52 makes sense.