Valencia will be hoping to build on their impressive win over Real Madrid before the international break when they continue their La Liga campaign away to Alaves on Sunday night.
Los Che thumped Madrid 4-1 on home soil last time out to move into the top half of the table, while Alaves - currently 15th in the division - shared the points with Levante in their last fixture.
Match preview
© Reuters
Alaves have won two, drawn three and lost four of their nine La Liga matches this season, with a total of nine points leaving them in 15th spot in the table, three points clear of the relegation zone.
The Basque outfit are playing in their fifth straight season at this level of football, but they finished 16th in 2019-20 and could well be in for another difficult campaign.
Pablo Machin's side will bring a three-game unbeaten run into this contest, though, having beaten Real Valladolid on October 25 before drawing 1-1 with both Barcelona and Levante.
The fact that they held Barca in their last home fixture will have boosted confidence among the players, but the team's goal struggles are a concern, having scored just seven times in their nine matches this term.
© Reuters
Valencia, as mentioned, will enter Sunday's contest off the back of an excellent 4-1 home victory over Real Madrid before the international break, with Carlos Soler scoring a hat-trick against Zinedine Zidane's side.
There is no getting away from the fact that Los Che are going through a difficult period both on and off the field, and head coach Javi Gracia recently revealed that he wants to leave the club and is only remaining in his position due to the contractual obligation.
A record of three wins, two draws and four defeats from nine matches is an indication of their inconsistency, but they are only five points off the top four at this stage and could still enjoy a successful campaign.
The team's away form will be of concern to their supporters, though, losing five of their last six on their travels, although the run does include an impressive 1-0 victory at table-topping Real Sociedad on September 29.
Valencia have also won four of their last six meetings with Alaves in La Liga, but the points were shared in a 1-1 draw when they locked horns in the corresponding match last term.
Alaves La Liga form: LWLWDD
Valencia La Liga form: WLLLDW
Team News
© Reuters
Alaves will be without the services of Edgar Mendez due to the red card that the midfielder picked up against Levante last time out, while Pere Pons is still on the sidelines with a foot issue.
Burgui has returned a positive test for coronavirus and will also be unavailable, but Jota is back from suspension and should return to the starting XI on Sunday night.
There are not expected to be any major surprises in terms of team selection, with former Premier League duo Joselu and Lucas Perez set to continue in the final third.
As for Valencia, Jasper Cillessen is out with a muscular problem, but the squad is otherwise in good shape with Thierry Correia back from suspension and Mouctar Diakhaby available following an injury.
There is every chance that Gracia could select the same XI that started against Real Madrid before the international break, meaning that Daniel Wass would keep his spot at right-back despite Correira's return.
Maxi Gomez and Lee Kang-In are likely to again keep out Kevin Gameiro in the final third, while there should be another start for exciting youngster Yunus Musah in a wide area.
Alaves possible starting lineup:
Pacheco; Navarro, Laguardia, Lejeune, Duarte; Jota, Pina, Battaglia, Rioja; Joselu, Perez
Valencia possible starting lineup:
Domenech; Wass, Gabriel, Guillamon, Gaya; Musah, Soler, Racic, Cheryshev; Gomez, Kang-In
We say: Alaves 1-1 Valencia
Valencia will certainly have been boosted by their win over Real Madrid, but it is difficult to know what to expect from Los Che on a game-to-game basis. Alaves are capable of picking up positive results on their own patch, and we are finding it difficult to separate the two sides in this game, ultimately backing a low-scoring draw.
