La Liga Preview: Valencia - Espanyol

Valencia's title challenge came to a shuddering halt last weekend as Thierry Henry and his Barcelona compatriots stamped their authority all over Los Che in a blistering 4-0 victory. Manager Unai Emery admitted after the match that his side are in different league to that of the Champions elect, and although defensive injuries and suspensions led to Dutch midfielder Maduro being deployed at centre half, in truth the scoreline could have been significantly worse.

Emery is now faced with an impossible situation over the new few months due to the recent financial revelations. The club are in dire straits, with an estimated total debt of €600m, and the vultures are already circling for the top talent at the Mestalla. David Villa, David Silva and Juan Mata will be bid upon to test the boards mettle, but with that amount of creditors to shift, any remotely significant bid could see the team that started the season so promisingly being systematically torn apart.

It will be sad to see, because at times this campaign Valencia have returned to the Champion League finalists form of a few seasons ago, and Villa and Mata have formed a fruitful partnership upfront so far. The ironic thing is that neither player has the desire to leave, but may be forced to as the club face a serious threat to their existence.

Things haven't been much brighter down at Espanyol, either. Tintin Marquez recently vacated the managers chair after a horrendous start to the season that sees Espanyol hovering precariously above the Primera Division drop zone.

New man in charge Mane has experience at this end of the division however during his time at Levante and Mallorca, and Periquitos’ battling draw at Betis on Sunday evening proved that this team are capable of playing for each other- when they are out to impress a new coach.

They also have the good/bad news of striker Raul Tamudo being out for the next two months through injury. He may lead the line and be the club captain, but his form in front of goal in 2008 has been appalling, and indeed he didn't net in La Liga from January through to October. It may be a blessing in disguise to lose a man who probably would never have been dropped.

This is the battle of two sides with problems. Valencia's home form has taken a dramatic dip for the worst, unable to win in the UEFA cup against Brugge and Copenhagen while beaten by Sporting and Racing on their own patch. The financial pitfalls ahead however may not reach prevalence until the expected January exodus tears the squad down to its bare bones. All this with a brand new stadium on the horizon, which is in danger of having no team to appear in it.

Espanyol are massively underachieving also, and in a season that was supposed to herald a new area. They too have a plush new arena sitting waiting to see some scintillating football, but if Mane cannot get this squad to gel and begin playing for each other, it could be very well be hosting Segunda Division football next season.

All of which means a victory is vital in terms of league placing, but also for building team morale during a difficult period for both of these famous Spanish clubs.

Valencia

Last 5 Results
06 Dec Barcelona 4-0 Valencia (La Liga)
04 Dec Valencia 1-1 Club Brugge (Uefa Cup)
30 Nov Valencia 3-2 Real Betis (La Liga)
27 Nov Rosenborg 0-4 Valencia (La Liga)
22 Nov Sevilla 0-0 Valencia (La Liga)

Espanyol

Last 5 Results
06 Dec Real Betis 1-1 Espanyol (La Liga)
30 Nov Espanyol 0-1 Sporting Gijon (La Liga)
23 Nov Deportivo La Coruna 3-0 Espanyol (La Liga)
16 Nov Espanyol 3-4 Numancia (La Liga)
12 Nov Espanyol 3-0 Celta Vigo (Copa Del Rey)

Team news:
Valencia:

David Silva is on the verge of a return for Los Che but this weekend may just be a match too soon for him as he fights back from ankle surgery. Edu will miss the rest of December with a hamstring injury, while Alexis is out for two months after undergoing groin surgery. Moretti missed the Barca match with a knock but should return here, as will Carlos Marchena from suspension.

Probable XI:
Renan; Miguel, Marchena, Albiol, Moretti; Fernandes, Albelda, Vicente, Joaquin; Villa, Mata

Espanyol:

Steve Finnan’s Espanyol agony continues, having barely kicked a ball since arriving in the summer. Captain and main striker Raul Tamudo will also be missing into the new year with a torn hamstring, while Mane deals with other minor niggles.

Probable XI: Kameni, Jarque,Beranger, Pareja, Sanchez; Angel , Callejon, Lola, De La Pena, Coro, Rufete
Team News

Men To Watch

Valencia
Juan Mata’s name is not yet circling amongst the big guns but it soon will be. The forward has been magnificent alongside Villa this season and he has scored some beautiful goals in the process and at just 20 years old has a bright future ahead of him.

Espanyol
Coro may have to step up to the plate in the absence of Raul Tamudo in the coming weeks, and his equaliser against Real Betis proved he is capable of finding the net is required. It’s certain that someone will need to start to start scoring, and he seems the most likely candidate.

Prediction

The new manager effect will bring some drive to Espanyol, but Emery’s Valencia need to bounce back from that Camp Nou mauling quickly to stay with the chasing pack. Los Che may sneak it by the odd goal in three.
Valencia 2-1 Espanyol

Paul Macdonald