Valencia’s fine early-season form will be put to the test when they host champions Atletico Madrid in the game of the La Liga weekend today.
Los Che sit just two points adrift of leaders Barcelona in second place after an unbeaten start to the season under new boss Nuno Espirito Santo after six games.
However, they will face their toughest test of the campaign to date as Atletico visit fresh from beating Italian champions Juventus in the UEFA Champions League in midweek and in-form striker Paco Alcacer, who has scored four times already this season, is hoping Diego Simeone’s men will suffer a hangover from their efforts on Wednesday.
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“We have prepared very well all week. It is clear that Atletico played a very hard game in the Champions League and could be a little tired,” the Spain international said.
Alcacer, though, is aware of the challenge that faces his side as they aim to compete with Atletico to challenge the traditional powers of Barca and Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.
“We have already seen last year what Atletico can do. They won the league and got to the final of the Champions League,” he said. “The numbers are in their favor and they are the favorites, but we are playing at home and have to go for it.”
Valencia will again have to do without big-money signing Alvaro Negredo, as he now hopes to make his debut for the club after the international break in two weeks’ time.
Atletico should have captain Gabi back fit after he missed out in midweek with an ankle injury, while Simeone could hand starts to Antoine Griezmann and Alessio Cerci as he looks to freshen up his starting lineup.
A win for Valencia would take them temporarily at least back to the top of the table as Barca are in action later today away at Rayo Vallecano de Madrid.
The Catalans were beaten for the first time this season away to Paris Saint-Germain and also saw their run without conceding a goal come to an end in a 3-2 defeat.
Claudio Bravo will return in goal, while Gerard Pique and Marc Bartra are expected to come back into the center of defense after Javier Mascherano and Jeremy Mathieu were found wanting in Paris.
The positives for Barca from that match came from Lionel Messi and Neymar, as both scored excellent goals to continue their fine form so far this season.
Messi believes their on-field relationship will flourish during the Brazilian’s second season in Barcelona.
“It’s the second season that we’re playing together and we’re starting to know each other better,” Messi said on Thursday. “Also this season the Barca strikers are playing more in the middle of the pitch, so we can pick each other out more and find connections. It’s a pleasure to play with him.”
Despite a run of three consecutive league wins, Real Madrid are still languishing down in sixth, four points behind Barca.
Los Blancos could be even further adrift by the time they host struggling Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu tomorrow.
Athletic finished fourth last season to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 16 years, but are currently only out of the relegation zone on goal-difference.
Real boss Carlo Ancelotti handed a rest from the start to Dani Carvajal, Toni Kroos, James Rodriguez and Karim Benzema in Wednesday’s 2-1 win over PFC Ludogorets Razgrad.
The latter three were all needed, though, as they were introduced before Benzema struck a late winner in Bulgaria and will return to the starting lineup tomorrow.
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