Valencia and Barcelona meet on Sunday evening in a clash between two sides in the top four in La Liga.
Valencia have made an impressive start to the season and sit just four points behind Barca. They are the third highest scorers in La Liga and have the second best defence, behind only Barcelona. They have been excellent at home, winning five and drawing one of their six games but they will be disappointed with last weeks loss away to local rivals, Levante.
Valencia come into the game with a clean bill of health and will be hoping for some of their key men to cause problems for Barcelona. Daniel Parejo and Paco Alcacer have both scored four league goals and will be the biggest threats to Barca's defence. Valencia have been giving opportunities to young players this season and Jose Gaya, Andre Gomes and Shkodran Mustafi all look likely to take part in the game.
Barca look to be getting back to form after losing two games in a row to Real Madrid and Celta Vigo and have won their last four in all competitions. Since the international break they have beat Sevilla 5-1 at home and APOEL 4-0 in Cyprus. With the attacking talent they have they are always capable of getting a goal and they now have the best defence in La Liga so they are likely to push Real Madrid all the way in the title race.
Thomas Vermaelen is the only player out of this game and Luis Enrique will have some decisions to make with regards his starting lineup. Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar are unlikely to be replaced up front and their partnerships are blossoming with every game they play. Suarez got his first goal in midweek but will be looking to get his first goal in La Liga to add to the four assists he has in his first four games.
Valencia will believe they can finish in the top four after a good start and with an excellent home record they will definitely give Barca a good game. Los Cules are currently five points behind Real and will be desperate to win this one but they will have to be on top of their game to get a win at the Mestalla.
Projected Lineups
Valencia - Alves; Barraga, Mustafi, Otamendi, Gaya; Fuego, Parejo, Andre Gomes; Feghouli, Negredo, Rodrigo.
Barcelona - Bravo; Alves, Mascherano, Mathieu, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Suarez, Messi, Neymar.