Real Valladolid will be looking to give their La Liga survival hopes a boost when they travel to Mestalla on Sunday afternoon to take on an out-of-form Valencia side.

The visitors are currently 17th in the table, just one point above 18th-placed Huesca on the same number of games (34), while Valencia occupy 14th position, only six points ahead of the bottom three.

Match preview

Valencia's winless run in La Liga stretched to six matches last weekend when they suffered a 3-2 home defeat to Barcelona; Los Che made it a nervy finish for Ronald Koeman's side by scoring a second in the 83rd minute through Carlos Soler, but the title hopefuls held on to record an important three points.

Javi Gracia was sacked as head coach at the start of the week, with assistant manager Voro placed in charge on an interim basis, and the 57-year-old will be desperate to get off to a positive start this weekend.

Valencia are six-time winners of La Liga and have finished fourth in two of the last three campaigns; they are some way off the Champions League spots this term, though, and will be looking down the table rather than up, with relegation still a possibility for the club.

It would be an incredible turn of events if Los Che were to drop into the bottom three, but they are only six points above 18th-placed Huesca and have now lost 14 league matches this term.

Valencia have only suffered four La Liga defeats at Mestalla, though, and will fancy their chances of overcoming a Valladolid side with just two away victories to their name this term.

Valladolid could be in the relegation zone by the time that they take to the field for this match as 19th-placed Elche are in action on Friday against Real Sociedad, while 18th-placed Huesca face Cadiz on Saturday.

As it stands, though, Sergio Gonzalez's side, who have won five, drawn 16 and lost 13 of their 34 league matches this term, are 17th in the table, one point above Huesca.

Valladolid have actually shared the points in each of their last four league matches, including a 1-1 draw with Real Betis last weekend, where they came from behind to claim a point courtesy of a second-half effort from Shon Weissman.

The White and Violets have finished 16th and 13th in their two La Liga seasons since earning promotion from the second tier, but they are very much in the relegation mix approaching the final stages of this campaign.

Team News

Valencia are expected to have Jose Gaya available for selection, with the left-back shaking off an ankle issue, meaning that interim boss Voro should have a full squad to choose from.

There could be a change to a 4-3-3 formation this weekend, with Lee Kang-in potentially being handed an opportunity in the final third of the field alongside Maxi Gomez and Goncalo Guedes.

There are not expected to be widespread changes, though, with Hugo Guillamon likely to keep his spot in the middle of the defence, while Soler and Daniel Wass should feature in midfield.

As for Valladolid, Fabian Orellana is out for the remainder of the season with a muscular problem, while Raul Garcia will also be unavailable for selection this weekend.

Joaquin Fernandez had emerged as a doubt after missing a couple of training sessions over the last week, but the centre-back should be available to feature in the starting XI.

Maranhao could come into the side to join Weissman as part of a front two, while Saidy Janko and Jota are also in contention to start for the visitors on Sunday afternoon.

Valencia possible starting lineup:
Cillessen; Correia, Paulista, Guillamon, Gaya; Soler, Racic, Wass; Kang-in, Gomez, Guedes

Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:
Jimenez; Janko, Fernandez, El Yamiq, Olaza; Jota, Mesa, Alcaraz, Plano; Weissman, Maranhao

We say: Valencia 1-0 Real Valladolid

Valencia have had their problems this season, but they still have a very talented squad and are capable of competing with the best sides in the division when in full flow. Valladolid desperately need a result, but we can see the home side edging out a 1-0 victory on Sunday afternoon.

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