Valencia's coach Unai Emery earned his spurs at Almeria, winnning promotion in 2006/07 and, in his first season in the top flight, finishing a respectable 8th and winning some big games on the way.

He takes over at a Valencia side who were battling relegation last season until a run of five wins from their final six games saw them rise to 10th. Expectations are higher this season.

Mallorca bettered that end-of-season winning all six final games, ending 7th. Their hero in that run was Dani Guiza, who scored 12 goals in his final ten games and ended top scorer in the league with 27 goals.

However, Guiza has gone to Fenerbahce and the islanders have also lost Ibagaza, Gutierrez, Fernando, Basinas and Borja; all key players and their replacements aren't of that quality.

Mallorca will likely struggle as a result this season and a trip to a more buoyant Valencia, who boast a good record against the visitors, could be tough lesson for the season ahead.

In the last seven years, home and away, Valencia are 9-3-2 against Mallorca, including 3-1, 3-0, 5-1 at home.

Match Betting Previews 29-31 August 2008 >>> UEFA Super Cup: - Man Utd v Zenit Premiership: Arsenal v Newcastle - Bolton v WBA - Everton v Portsmouth - Hull v Wigan - Middlesbrough v Stoke - West Ham v Blackburn - Aston Villa v Liverpool - Chelsea v Spurs - Sunderland v Man City La Liga: Deportivo v Real Madrid - Numancia v Barcelona - Valencia v Mallorca Serie A: Sampdoria v Inter - Fiorentina v Juventus - Roma v Napoli Bundesliga: Leverkusen v Hoffenheim - Bayern v Hertha Ligue 1: Marseille v Sochaux - St Etienne v Lyon Superliga: Benfica v FC Porto SPL: Celtic v Rangers

Although debut matches of a season have to be approached with caution, this match pits a possible top 5 team against a side likely to be in the bottom 6 at the end of season.

Valencia are what seems an extremely generous $1.70 with a number of bookies and Expekt quote $1.75.

BETZINE UK TIP *****

Bet: Valencia to win Odds: $1.75 Stake: 8pts Bookies: Expekt

Match Betting Previews 29-31 August 2008 >>> UEFA Super Cup: - Man Utd v Zenit Premiership: Arsenal v Newcastle - Bolton v WBA - Everton v Portsmouth - Hull v Wigan - Middlesbrough v Stoke - West Ham v Blackburn - Aston Villa v Liverpool - Chelsea v Spurs - Sunderland v Man City La Liga: Deportivo v Real Madrid - Numancia v Barcelona - Valencia v Mallorca Serie A: Sampdoria v Inter - Fiorentina v Juventus - Roma v Napoli Bundesliga: Leverkusen v Hoffenheim - Bayern v Hertha Ligue 1: Marseille v Sochaux - St Etienne v Lyon Superliga: Benfica v FC Porto SPL: Celtic v Rangers