Preview: Real Valladolid vs. Valencia - prediction, team news, lineups

The home side are currently 18th in the table, level on points with 17th-placed Celta Vigo, while Valencia occupy 12th, boasting 20 points from their opening 17 matches of the campaign.

Match preview

Real Valladolid have not been victorious in Spain's top flight since beating basement side Elche 2-1 at the start of November, losing their last five in the league without scoring a single goal.

A record of five wins, two draws and 11 defeats from 18 matches has brought 17 points, which has left them in 18th spot in the table, but they are level on points with Celta in 17th and only three points from Valencia in 12th, so a lot could change in a relatively short space of time.

The White and Violets secured a return to La Liga by winning last season's Segunda Division, and they will now be looking to consolidate back at this level of football.

Pacheta's side have picked up 13 of their 18 points this season at home, winning four of their eight matches, and their form in front of their own supporters is likely to be crucial when it comes to their relegation battle.

Real Valladolid have struggled against Valencia of late, though, failing to beat Los Che in Spain's top flight since March 2009, with Sunday's opponents winning each of the last three games between the two sides.

Valencia, meanwhile, suffered Copa del Rey disappointment on Thursday evening, being knocked out of the competition at the quarter-final stage courtesy of a 3-1 home loss to Athletic Bilbao.

Los Che managed to level the scores shortly before the interval, but Nico Williams and Mikel Vesga then struck for Athletic in the second period to secure a spot in the final four of the tournament.

Gennaro Gattuso's side are also winless in their last three in the league, losing narrowly to Villarreal and Cadiz before drawing 2-2 with Almeria last time out.

Valencia have again struggled for consistency this season, picking up only 20 points from 17 matches, which has left them just three points clear of the relegation zone and eight points from the top six.

Los Che have struggled on their travels, meanwhile, recording just one win from seven matches, picking up only six points in the process, which should hand Real Valladolid confidence ahead of this contest.

Real Valladolid La Liga form:

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Real Valladolid form (all competitions):

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Valencia La Liga form:

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Valencia form (all competitions):

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Team News

Real Valladolid will be able to welcome Monchu back into their squad this weekend, with the Spaniard serving the suspension that ruled him out of the 3-0 loss to Atletico last time out.

However, Anuar Tuhami, Kenedy and Sergio Escudero will remain on the sidelines through injury.

Jawad El Yamiq is expected to be passed fit, though, while there should be a spot at right-back for Ivan Fresneda despite the constant transfer speculation surrounding him, with Arsenal, Newcastle United, Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund all believed to be keen on his services.

Valencia, meanwhile, will again be without the services of Jaume Domenech and Nico Gonzalez through injury; Thierry Correia is also a doubt, with a late fitness test required before a decision on the defender's involvement is made.

There will be changes from the side that started in the Copa del Rey, with Andre Almeida, Gabriel Paulista and Cenk Ozkacar likely to be among those to return.

Edinson Cavani was replaced just before the hour against Athletic, but the experienced striker is expected to lead the line here with support from Justin Kluivert and Samuel Lino.

Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:

Masip; Fresneda, El Yamiq, Fernandez, Rosa; Aguado, Mesa, Monchu; Plata, Leon, Plano

Valencia possible starting lineup:

Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Paulista, Ozkacar, Gaya; Musah, Moriba; Kluivert, Almeida, Lino; Cavani

We say: Real Valladolid 1-1 Valencia

Valencia would have earmarked his match as the perfect chance to secure three points, but they have only won once away from home in the league this season, so it is difficult to back them with any real confidence. Real Valladolid have actually drawn just once in front of their own fans in the league this term, but we are expecting the points to be shared on Sunday afternoon.

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