Champions League 
/ James Eastham / 14 February 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Raul has scored plenty of goals at the Mestalla during his Real carerr but his Schalke side have their work cut out
"Valencia are [1.67] to go through and [1.72] to win on the night. The second price looks too big considering Valencia have won eight of 12 home league games so far and thrashed Rangers (3-0) and Bursaspor (6-1) when those two sides visited the Mestalla last autumn."
Valencia are favourites to progress and unsurprisingly odds-on to win the first leg but the price on offer is a good one, all things considered, says James Eastham.
Match Odds
In theory Schalke ought to be favourites as they topped their opening-phase group whereas Valencia finished second. Yet the Germans landed in one of the weakest pools, whereas Valencia faced Manchester United. The Spaniards picked up only two points fewer (11pts) than Schalke (13pts).
Valencia's league form has been far better all season: they're third in the Primera Division with 47pts from 23 matches (effectively making them the 'best of the rest' considering the gulf that separates Barcelona and Real Madrid from the division's other 18 sides). Lying 10th, Schalke have already lost nine of 22 Bundesliga matches, including four of 10 away from home.
Valencia are [1.67] to go through and [1.72] to win on the night. The second price looks too big considering Valencia have won eight of 12 home league games so far and thrashed Rangers (3-0) and Bursaspor (6-1) when those two sides visited the Mestalla last autumn.
Under / Over
Twelve of Schalke's 22 league games have featured over 2.5 goals, although six of their last seven matches have had under 1.5 goals. Two of their three Champions League away games have also featured under 1.5 goals. These low-scoring stats go against the general Bundesliga trends, but the price of [1.69] on under 2.5 goals isn't big enough to offer much value.
Nine of Valencia's 17 (53%) home games in all competitions have had over 2.5 goals, including 2/3 in the group phase. Putting together the two clubs' stats, few strong patterns emerge.
To Score
The Champions League all-time top scorer Raul has been in fine form since moving to Germany last summer: the former Spain striker has netted 10 times in 22 league games and added a further two goals in six Champions League appearances. He's [4.5] to score anytime on a ground he knows well from his 16 seasons at Real Madrid.
Valencia strikers Aritz Aduriz (seven league goals plus two UCL goals) and Roberto Soldado (the club's five-goal leading scorer in this competition) are trading around [2.7] to find the net. As these two have scored between them more than half of Valencia's goals in the tournament, you might like to consider splitting your stakes across the pair. Should one of them score, you'll make a profit.
Best Bet: Valencia to beat Schalke @ [1.72].
Other Recommended Bet: Back Aritz Aduriz [2.7] and Roberto Soldado [2.7] to score anytime (split your stakes)
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