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

Both Valencia and Sevilla will be looking to return to winning ways in Spain's top flight when they lock horns at Mestalla on Tuesday afternoon.

Los Che will enter the contest off the back of a 2-2 draw with Barcelona at Camp Nou on Saturday, while Sevilla were held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Real Valladolid.

Match preview

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Valencia have had their fair share of problems this season, but Javi Gracia 's team will enter this contest off the back of a positive result, having secured a point away to Barcelona on Saturday night.

Ronald Koeman 's team turned the game around to lead 2-1 early in the second period, but Maxi Gomez struck in the 69th minute to secure a share of the spoils for Los Che, who currently sit 12th in the table, having picked up 15 points from their 14 league games this term.

The fact that Valencia have only won three of their 14 La Liga matches this season is a concern, while they have suffered five defeats, with Celta Vigo, Real Betis, Villarreal, Elche and Atletico Madrid all beating them in 2020-21.

Gracia's side managed to progress to the second round of the Copa del Rey courtesy of a 4-2 victory over Terrassa last week, though, and they will be looking to end the year with back-to-back victories over Sevilla and Granada, which is likely to leave them in a healthier position heading into 2021.

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Sevilla, meanwhile, were held to a 1-1 draw by Valladolid on Saturday; Lucas Ocampos sent the hosts ahead in the 31st minute from the penalty spot, but Raul Garcia levelled in the latter stages of the contest.

A record of six wins, two draws and four defeats has seen Julen Lopetegui 's side collect 20 points, leaving them in sixth position in the table, five points off fourth-placed Villarreal with two games in hand.

Los Nervionenses have booked their spot in the knockout stage of the Champions League, while they have advanced to the second round of the Copa del Rey courtesy of a 3-0 win over Ciudad de Lucena.

Sevilla's European involvement means that they have played a lot of football this season, and it is a tough end to the year for the club as they face Valencia and Villarreal in back-to-back fixtures.

The Europa League holders recorded a 1-0 victory over Valencia when the two teams last locked horns in July, but the corresponding clash last term finished in a 1-1 draw.

Valencia La Liga form: WDLDDD

Valencia form (all competitions): DLDDWD

Sevilla La Liga form: WWWLWD

Sevilla form (all competitions): LLWWWD

Team News

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Valencia will again be without the services of Hugo Guillamon, Kevin Gameiro and Jasper Cillessen through injury, while Toni Lato will be absent following a positive coronavirus test.

The bulk of the XI that started against Barca are again expected to take to the field for this game, although there could be a change in the final third with Manu Vallejo potentially coming in for Goncalo Guedes.

Yunus Musah is also a slight doubt, having been substituted in the first half at Camp Nou, and Alex Blanco is on standby to replace the youngster in the starting XI.

As for Sevilla, Munir El Haddadi, Tomas Vaclik, Sergio Escudero remain on the sidelines through injury, but the visitors did not pick up any fresh concerns against Valladolid.

Lopetegui is expected to shuffle his pack from Saturday's contest, with Joan Jordan and Luuk de Jong potentially coming in for Oliver Torres and Youssef En-Nesyri.

Suso and Ocampos should keep their spots in the final third of the field, while Jesus Navas overcame a knock to play the full 90 minutes against Valladolid and will be available for this game.

Valencia possible starting lineup:

Domenech; Wass, Paulista, Diakhaby, Gaya; Blanco, Soler, Racic, Guedes; Gomez, Vallejo

Sevilla possible starting lineup:

Bounou; Navas, Kounde, Carlos, Acuna; Rakitic, Fernando, Jordan; Ocampos, De Jong, Suso

We say: Valencia 1-1 Sevilla

Valencia have drawn four of their last five in the league and have lost just one of their last seven; Sevilla will be eyeing an important three points, but we are finding it difficult to separate the two sides here, ultimately backing a low-scoring draw at Mestalla.

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