La Liga Preview: Valencia - Malaga

Kick-Off: Saturday, February 14, 2009. 22:00 CET. Mestalla, Valencia

If Valencia are to stop the headlines regarding their precarious financial situation overshadowing their quest for a Champions League berth, they will consider this fixture one that they must win.

Los Che's players have reportedly not been paid recently and, though the messages from the squad are currently upbeat, a few more inconsistent performances could see some cracks beginning to appear.

Rumours that the club will have to sell various star names hark back to the bleak times of last summer, however, while David Villa and David Silva stayed on then, it appears unlikely that both will start the next campaign at Mestalla.

One way that the tension can be eased is if the team start performing on the field and put together a run that cements their place in the top four, ensuring vital European income next season.

The defeat at Osasuna last Sunday did not see the club slip out of the Champions League spots, however, Valencia have won just three times in their ten games since the turn of the year.

Major Achievement

Expectations at Malaga may not be as high but the fact that the club are not struggling to stay up can be seen as something as a major achievement for Antonio Tapia's team.

After winning promotion back to the top flight at the end of last season, the annual predictions were made that the three newcomers would spend all season battling to ensure survival.

There is always one team that does not play by the rules and, though Numancia are doing better than expected and Sporting Gijon are in mid-table, Malaga have out-performed them both.

A dramatic comeback last weekend against Almeria meant that the Andalucian outfit are now in seventh place and are just three points behind Sevilla, who are third.

Salva Ballesta has stated that there should be no talk about qualifying for Europe with 16 matches still to play, but even for him to have to come out and say that is a reminder of just how well Malaga are doing.

RECENT FORM

Valencia

08/02 A 0-1 Osasuna

01/02 H 3-2 Almeria

29/01 A 1-2 Sevilla

25/01 A 1-3 Real Mallorca

21/01 H 3-2 Sevilla

18/01 A 2-3 Athletic Club

Malaga

08/02 H 3-2 Almeria

31/01 A 2-3 Athletic Club

25/01 H 1-1 Atletico de Madrid

18/01 H 4-0 Espanyol

11/01 A 2-1 Real Betis

04/01 H 1-0 Sporting de Gijon

TEAM NEWS

Valencia

TBA

Malaga

TBA

PREDICTION

There is no reason why this could not be an upset given the problems behind the scenes at Valencia and the confidence that Malaga will arrive with. Los Che do have a good home record, however, that may not be enough and some defensive lapses could see them slide to a shock loss.

Valencia 1 - 2 Malaga

Lucas Brown, Goal.com


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