Match Previews

Valencia slipped up with rare weekend loss...Silva (k) (att) still out...Joaquin (r) (mid) and Helguera (sp) (def) doubts...rotations likely...Valencia have made a simply wonderful start to the season but things went more than a little wrong at the weekend when they were hammered 4-2 at home by Santander.  The result might not have been a fair reflection of play but it was still a significant loss and they will hope to hit back here.  Chances are the team will make some changes to freshen things up although Renan will surely still be in goals.  Helguera is an injury doubt and might miss out, and his case isn't helped by a less than perfect relationship with the manager, but Del Horno and Marchena are all contenders to come into the back four.  The midfield could bring in Pablo Hernandez and Baraja from the start although it is likely they will want to maintain some width so Joaquin and then either Mata or Vicente will be out and out wingers. Joaquin has picked up a minor knock and has been working in the gym recently but it will be available for selection although naturally he might not be picked if the coach wants to give someone else a run in his usual position, Viana for example.  In the attack Silva is still not considered despite returning to training and Villa might be protected on the bench which means Moritentes and Angulo would be the starting forwards. Valencia are a very impressive team right now but their confidence will definitely have been shaken by their previous defeat.  They will have to show some character to come back from that but there is no reason to assume they won't.  They certainly have better players than their opponents here and will be fully expecting to come out on top.