Preview: Eibar vs. Valencia - prediction, team news, lineups

Valencia will be looking to pick up just their second La Liga win since the end of September when they travel to Eibar on Monday night.

Los Che are currently 15th in the table, having picked up 12 points from their 11 matches this season, while Eibar sit three positions and one point above their opponents here.

Match preview

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Eibar have won three, drawn four and lost three of their 11 La Liga matches this season, collecting 13 points to sit 12th in the table, which represents a relatively solid start to 2020-21.

Los Armeros have actually only lost one of their last seven in the league and recorded a standout victory away to Sevilla at the end of October.

Eibar then played out back-to-back draws with Huesca and Getafe either side of the November international break, before recording an impressive 2-0 victory away to Real Betis last time out.

On-loan Newcastle United striker Yoshinori Muto was on the scoresheet against Betis, and there is no question that Jose Luis Mendilibar has a talented squad at his disposal.

Eibar have actually won two of their last three league meetings with Valencia, meanwhile, including a 1-0 success in the corresponding game during the 2019-20 campaign.

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Valencia, as mentioned, currently sit down in 15th position in the table, having won three, drawn three and lost five of their 11 matches this season to collect 12 points.

Los Che are actually only two points outside of the relegation zone and have one of the worst defensive records in Spain's top flight this term, conceding 17 times.

Javi Gracia 's side managed to record a standout 4-1 win over Real Madrid on November 8 but were held by Alaves after the international break before losing at home to Atletico Madrid last weekend.

The six-time Spanish champions finished a disappointing ninth last season, and a number of important players were allowed to leave the club during the summer transfer window.

There are problems behind the scenes with head coach Gracia revealing his disappointment at the lack of investment, and it could be a very difficult season for the La Liga giants.

Eibar La Liga form: DWLDDW

Valencia La Liga form: LLDWDL

Team News

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Eibar have Kike Garcia available once again after a suspension, but Cote, Quique Gonzalez and Paulo Oliveira remain on the sidelines through injury.

Kike is expected to return to an attacking position alongside Muto, while Bryan Gil and Alejandro Pozo should retain their positions in the starting XI.

Mendilibar is likely to keep with the majority of the side that featured against Betis, though, with Papa Diop and Edu Exposito lining up in the middle of the park.

As for Valencia, Jasper Cillessen and Jose Gaya remain on the sidelines through injury, while Lee Kang-in and Denis Cheryshev are still unavailable following recent positive coronavirus tests.

Los Che will also be without the services of central defender Hugo Guillamon through suspension, meaning that Mouctar Diakhaby should line up alongside Gabriel Paulista at the heart of the defence.

Toni Lato will continue at left-back due to Gaya's absence, while Kevin Gameiro is likely to feature in the final third of the field alongside Maxi Gomez. There should also again be a starting role for highly-rated youngster Yunus Musah, who has signed a new long-term contract at the Mestalla.

Eibar possible starting lineup:

Dmitrovic; Correa, Burgos, Bigas, Arbilla; Pozo, Edu, Diop, Gil; Muto, Kike

Valencia possible starting lineup:

Domenech; Wass, Paulista, Diakhaby, Lato; Musah, Racic, Soler, Guedes; Gameiro, Gomez

We say: Eibar 1-1 Valencia

Eibar have been difficult to beat in recent weeks and will be full of confidence following an impressive win at Betis. Valencia's start to the season has been disappointing, but they have only lost one of their last four in the league, and we fancy Gracia's side to pick up a point on Monday night.

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