Valencia will be looking to close the gap on the top four in La Liga when they resume their 2019-20 campaign at home to local rivals Levante on Friday night.
Los Che are currently seventh in the table - four points off fourth-placed Real Sociedad - while Levante occupy 13th, some eight points clear of the relegation zone with 11 games left.
Match preview
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Valencia have not been in La Liga action since drawing 1-1 away to Deportivo Alaves on March 6, but they were knocked out of the Champions League in the round of 16 just before the campaign was suspended, suffering a 4-3 home defeat to Italian side Atalanta BC to lose 8-4 on aggregate.
Los Che, as a result, only have the league to focus on in the final weeks of the season, and they will be desperate to claim a top-four finish.
Albert Celades's side have lost seven times in the league this term but are very much in contention for a Champions League spot at this stage. Indeed, just four points separates them from fourth-placed Sociedad, while they are only five points off second-placed Sevilla.
The six-time Spanish champions have beaten Real Betis and drawn with Alaves in their last two league matches, while they are unbeaten in Spain's top flight at the Mestalla this season, winning eight and drawing six of their 14 fixtures, which has given them the third-best home record in the division.
There will certainly be an added incentive for Valencia on Friday as they prepare to welcome their local rivals, and Los Che have been victorious in the last two Valencian derbies in Spain's top flight.
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Levante have finished 15th in each of the last two La Liga seasons, but Paco Lopez's side are potentially on course for their highest position since the 2013-14 campaign, when they claimed 10th.
Ten wins, three draws and 14 defeats - that is how Levante have performed in Spain's top flight this term. Only two teams - Mallorca and Espanyol - have suffered more losses, but a record of 10 victories sees them clear of the relegation zone as the campaign prepares to restart.
Lopez's team have struggled on the road this season, suffering 11 defeats in their 14 matches, picking up just nine points in the process, which is among the worst records in the division.
They lost to Eibar and drew with Granada in their two matches before the season was postponed but did record a famous 1-0 victory over Real Madrid towards the end of February.
Valencia La Liga form: WLDLWD
Valencia form (all competitions): DWWLDL
Levante La Liga form: LWLWLD
Team News
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Valencia will be unable to call upon French midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia due to suspension, while Cristiano Piccini and Ezequiel Garay remain on the sidelines with knee injuries.
Kondogbia's absence will mean a reshuffle in midfield, with Carlos Soler potentially moving into a central position, allowing Alessandro Florenzi to start in a wide area, although Francis Coquelin is another option.
Rodrigo Moreno and Kevin Gameiro, meanwhile, should feature as a front two.
Levante were missing Sergio Postigo and Ruben Rochina through suspension and injury respectively in their last game against Granada, but the pair are available for this contest.
Ivan Lopez is still on the sidelines with a long-term knee problem, but the squad is otherwise in good shape ahead of Friday's game, and there are not expected to be many surprises.
Jose Luis Morales and Roger Marti could again operate as a front two with support from Enis Bardhi, although Sergio Leon and Borja Mayoral are also in contention to start.
Valencia possible starting lineup:
Cillessen; Wass, Diakhaby, Paulista, Gaya; Florenzi, Parejo, Soler, Torres; Rodrigo, Gameiro
Levante possible starting lineup:
Aitor; Miramon, Postigo, Vezo, Clerc; Campana, Vukcevic, Radoja, Bardhi; Morales, Marti
We say: Valencia 2-0 Levante
Levante will be desperate to halt Valencia's top-four challenge, but Los Che have been impressive at the Mestalla this season and should have enough to pick up all three points in Friday's contest.
Matt Law
