A glamour friendly takes place this evening when German Bundesliga outfit Hamburg play host to La Liga side Valencia.
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Being the third best team in Spain is no longer considered a great achievement now that it entails finishing over 20 points behind Barcelona and Real Madrid, but there is much to admire about the ability of Valencia to reinvent themselves without missing a beat.
Last season, they survived the departures of David Villa and David Silva despite spending less than half of what they gained in sales by investing what they could afford wisely to retain third ahead of neighbours Villarreal. They are 3.15 to be La Liga's best of the rest again.
A third straight top-three finish will be the toughest of the lot to achieve given the rise of moneybags Malaga, who have signed Ruud van Nistelrooy, Jeremy Toulalan, Santi Cazorla and Valencia duo Joaquin and Isco, though underappreciated coach Unai Emery is the best man to thwart them.
Pre-season preparations have gone fairly well so far, the majority of exits being dictated by the club rather than to them, with prize asset Juan Mata still there and the clause allowing him to leave for £22 million expiring and Real Madrid youngster Sergio Canales the latest of several new additions.
Their friendly form has been strong, with victories and clean sheets achieved against PSV, Leicester and Sporting Lisbon, and only Rapid Wien defeating them, yet they are 3.25 to triumph in their latest away to Hamburg, which is live for Betfair customers to watch at 6.15pm on Betfair Live Video.
Hamburg have had a busy summer themselves, complete with a new boss in Michael Oenning, new sporting director in Frank Arnesen and a load of ex-Chelsea youngsters such as Michael Mancienne, Gokhan Tore and on-loan Jeffrey Bruma.
A mixed pre-season has featured losses to Wolfsburg and Borussia Dortmund, indicating that their odds of 2.3 appeal to lay rather than back. None of their 11 games to date have been drawn [3.65] and ten have featured over 2.5 goals, which is offered at a tempting 1.86.
Best Bet: Valencia to win @ 3.25
Other Recommended Bet: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.86
