Two teams inside the La Liga relegation zone will lock horns for a huge game on Saturday evening, with Valencia welcoming Real Valladolid to Mestalla.
Valencia, who drew 3-3 with Osasuna last time out, are currently 18th in the La Liga table, while Real Valladolid are rock bottom of the division, eight points from the safety of 17th spot.
Match preview
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Valencia boast a record of five wins, nine draws and 12 defeats from their 26 league matches this season, with a total of 24 points leaving them in 18th spot in the table, level on points with 17th-placed Las Palmas.
Carlos Corberan's side won three of their four La Liga matches between January 19 and February 9, but they have only picked up two points from their last three matches, drawing with Villarreal and Osasuna either side of a 3-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid.
Valencia have collected 18 points from their 13 home league matches this season, and it is their form at Mestalla that will likely keep them up if they are to avoid relegation, as it has been a real struggle for them on their travels, failing to win this term.
The six-time Spanish champions have not been relegated from Spain's top flight since 1986, so it would be a huge shock to see them drop out of La Liga this term, but they are certainly in the relegation mix at this stage.
Los Che actually suffered a 1-0 defeat to Real Valladolid in the reverse match earlier this season, but it was 2-1 to Valencia when the two teams locked horns in the corresponding game during the 2022-23 season.
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Real Valladolid face a huge task when it comes to avoiding relegation from Spain's top flight this season, as a very difficult campaign has left them bottom of the division, picking up only 16 points from 26 matches.
The White and Violets are eight points from the safety of 17th spot, boasting a record of four wins, four draws and 18 defeats from their 26 games, while they have both the worst attacking record and worst defensive record.
Indeed, Real Valladolid have netted only 17 times, while they have conceded 60, so it is not too difficult to understand why it has been such a testing campaign for the team.
Pucela did manage to end a six-game losing run against Las Palmas last time out, though, with the points being shared in a 1-1 draw, and that is a result that Alvaro Rubio's team can potentially build from.
The strugglers have not been victorious since January 11, though, and it has been incredibly difficult for them on their travels this season, only picking up three points from 13 matches, scoring just nine times in the process.
Team News
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Valencia will again be without the services of Thierry Correia due to a long-term knee injury, but Los Che are otherwise in strong shape for their contest with the team at the bottom of the division.
Hugo Duro is expected to return to the squad following a fitness issue, but the Spaniard may have to accept a spot on the bench, as Umar Sadiq netted twice in the 3-3 draw with Osasuna last time out.
Luis Rioja and Diego Lopez are expected to continue in the wide positions for Los Che, while there should also be a spot in the number 10 spot for Ivan Jaime, with Javi Guerra featuring in a deeper area.
As for Real Valladolid, Stanko Juric will be back in the squad following a suspension, but Andre Ferreira remains a major doubt for the visitors due to a muscular problem, while Joseph Aidoo is again likely to miss out.
There were a lot of positives to take from the team's 1-1 draw with Las Palmas last time out, so changes are likely to be minimal, but Juric is expected to return in the middle of midfield.
Juanmi Latasa may have also earned himself a spot in the XI after scoring off the bench against Las Palmas, meaning that Marcos Andre could drop down to the bench this weekend.
Valencia possible starting lineup:
Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Tarrega, Mosquera, Gaya; Guerra, Barrenechea; Rioja, Jaime, D Lopez; Sadiq
Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:
Hein; Candela, Comert, J Sanchez, Aznou; Grillitsch, Juric; Tuhami, Amallah, Moro; Latasa
We say: Valencia 2-1 Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid's struggles on their travels are difficult to ignore when picking a result here, while Valencia's best football has been played in front of their own supporters this term - we are expecting a close match in terms of the scoreline, but Los Che should be able to put an important three points on the board.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
