Valencia Club de Fútbol urgently need a positive result this Sunday at the Estadio Mendizorrotza to halt a run of four consecutive defeats in LaLiga. Rubén Baraja's side face an Alavés team in better form, having won three of their last five matches.
The che's last outing ended in a 0-1 defeat at Sevilla, a result that leaves the club in a difficult position in the table. With just one point from a possible fifteen, the pressure is mounting at Mestalla. Baraja has had a full week of work to try and correct the defensive errors that have plagued the team, especially following the heavy loss to Barcelona.
The opponent's form
Alavés present a solid block, particularly at home, where they have secured two clear victories this season. Their manager, Luis García Plaza, typically sets up in a 3-5-2 with Sivera in goal and players like Antonio Blanco and Denis Suárez providing rhythm in midfield. Striker Luis Boyé is their main attacking reference. The Vitoria-based side only have three confirmed absences for this match: Aitor Mañas with a head injury, and the long-term problems of Facundo Garcés and Mikel Rodríguez, both with cruciate ligament injuries.
For Valencia, the starting eleven from the Sevilla match, set up in a 4-4-1-1, could see changes. Baraja is looking to add more solidity to a midfield where André Almeida and Hugo Guillamón are alternatives to the last matchday's starters. Captain José Gayà will be a key piece both in defence and in generating play down the flank.
The need for improvement is clear when reviewing recent performances. The squad list, with its strengths and weaknesses, is detailed in the squad section.
The match kicks off this Sunday at 20:00 local time, with Javier Alberola Rojas as the referee. For Valencia, beyond the result, the goal is to show a fighting spirit and recover the confidence lost in recent weeks. The last time the team earned a point was on 22 August, in a goalless draw with Celta.
