Preview #2
Valencia will be expected to maintain their lead at the top of the table when they host a hapless Racing Santander on Saturday night...
Pace Setters
After the horrors of last season, there were not many who would have predicted that Valencia would be the team to beat this year. While no one expected them to sink to the depths of the previous campaign, a title challenge was almost equally unexpected. This Valencia team, however, plays as well on the pitch as it does on paper.
Valencia are one of only two clubs (the other being Villareal) yet to lose a game in the league this season. While they may not have scored as many goals as Barcelona or Real Madrid (although an impressive tally of 18 still leaves them in third position in that respect), the mere 5 goals that they have conceded go a long way towards their lofty position.
The Mestalla has always been one of the most intimidating Spanish stadiums to visit, and this season has been no different. With four wins out of four at home, Valencia have truly made their stadium a fortress. To make matters worse for the opposition, they are winning in style, with 12 goals at an average of 3 per game.
Cellar Dwellers
Racing Santander, by contrast, are in danger of being involved in a season long scrap to avoid the drop. Having qualified for the UEFA Cup last season, much was expected of the Cantabrian side, but like Valencia, their fortunes have travelled in the opposite direction. Unfortunately for them, it has been a downward spiral.
The main problem for Racing has been in attack, with a measly 5 goals to show from their eight games. While they have never been a side to score goals by the bucketload, their strike force this season has looked especially toothless, with an over reliance on an aging and often injured Pedro Munitis characteristic of a pathetic state of affairs.
If Racing fans are looking for crumbs of comfort ahead of a daunting away day, however, they can look to their record on their travels this season. It is nothing spectacular, but their only win came courtesy of a 1-0 defeat of Osasuna, while they also picked up an impressive point at the Nou Camp in a 1-1 draw with Barcelona. Having said that, those performances are more likely to represent the exception than the rule.
FORM GUIDE
Valencia
WON 4-1 vs Portugalete (A) (Copa Del Rey Round of 32, 29th October)
DREW 1-1 vs Recreativo (A) (La Liga Matchday 8, 26th October)
WON 4-0 vs Numancia (H) (La Liga Matchday 7, 19th October)
WON 1-0 vs Real Valladolid (A) (La Liga Matchday 6, 5th October)
WON 2-1 vs Maritimo (H) (UEFA Cup First Round, 2nd October)
Racing Santander
LOST 2-1 vs Murcia (A) (Copa Del Rey Round of 32, 29th October)
LOST 2-1 vs Numancia (A) (La Liga Matchday 8, 26th October)
LOST 1-0 vs FC Twente (A) (UEFA Cup Group Stage, 23rd October)
DREW 0-0 vs Deportivo La Coruna (H) (La Liga Matchday 7, 19th October)
WON 1-0 vs Osasuna (A) (La Liga Matchday 6, 5th October)
TEAM NEWS
Valencia
David Silva is out till around Christmas, while Curro Torres is the other long term injury concern. Given the opposition, Unai Emery might be tempted to rest some players, but he will be reluctant to change a winning combination.
Probable Starting XI - Renan - Miguel, Marchena, Albiol, Moretti - Joaquin, Fernandes, Albelda, Vicente - Mata, Villa
Racing Santander
Defebder Oriol is the only major injury concern. Oscar Serrano or Cristian may enter the starting line-up in an attempt to revive the attack.
Probable Starting XI - Coltorti - Valera, Sepsi, Garay, Luis Fernandez - Christian, Colsa, Luccin, Serrano - Munitis - Tchite
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Valencia
It may be the obvious choice, but David Villa is in lethal form, and Racing at the Mestalla will surely be lambs to the slaughter of the marksman. With 9 goals from 8 games, Villa is the joint Pichichi with Samuel Eto'o, and not many will be betting against him adding to his tally on Saturday.
Racing Santander
Peter Luccin is an old fashioned destroyer in midfield, and his talents will be desperately needed to stop David Villa and co. running amok. His from this season has been patchy, but this will have to be the game in which he turns it around if Racing are to gain anything from their trip.
PREDICTION
While Valencia's run cannot last forever, it will not be broken against Racing. Saturday's encounter is a total mismatch, and there is no reason to suggest that anything but a comprehensive Valencia win will be forthcoming.
Valencia 3-0 Racing Santander
- Arjun Miglani
