Elche's recent clean sheets have depended in part on saves and the circumstances of their goals, while Valencia can move forward through several different receivers. Their meeting turns on the first pass after a midfield recovery and the finish that follows. Juventus have defended space well, but their recent territorial spells have not consistently produced a final touch. Napoli still found several routes to goal after a key midfield injury, setting up a tight contest for the central ball.
Elche can use Valera or Cepeda when they win the ball high, and Valencia can answer through Guerra, Rioja, Raba and Danjuma. Two of Elche's Rayo goals were penalties; Villarreal also reached clear chances that Dituro saved. Valencia have lost Otorbi's right-side supply and Elliott is suspended, though both had only short minutes in the last match; Sadiq and Foulquier returned to the travelling squad without established starting roles. Niño's fitness remains uncertain for Elche, with Ponce having played in the cup. Valencia's current first and second attacking routes should keep them in this match. That's why I'm siding with Valencia.
Juventus can win second balls through their replacement midfield and use their back three to restrict Højlund. Napoli can still move the ball through De Bruyne, McTominay and Politano and reach the box from more than one angle; that continued after Lobotka left the Monza match. Gilmour played as a midfield alternative, while Rrahmani and Anguissa also had recent minutes despite illness reports. Juventus's absentees were already missing when its current replacements played Genoa, where later attacking supply did not become a goal. I expect Napoli's repeated delivery to stand up to Juventus's defensive spells. That's why I'm siding with Napoli.
