Crunch time for Valencia
Valencia go into their match against La Liga leaders Real Sociedad knowing they need a victory to keep their title hopes alive.
Valencia go into their match against La Liga leaders Real Sociedad knowing they need a victory to keep their title hopes alive.
Rafa Benitez’s side looked well placed before the Christmas break, sitting second in the table. However, a 4-1 defeat by European champions Real Madrid last weekend has left Valencia eight points off the pace back in fourth position.
Sociedad have been the surprise package of the Spanish season to date and remain unbeaten in the league. And to make matters worse for the champions, they go into the game without influential midfield pair Pablo Aimar and David Albelda.
Sociedad themselves could see their two-and-a-half month reign at the top end on Saturday if they suffer their first defeat. Real Madrid are the side threatening to overhaul them, their victory against Valencia their fifth in a row, having scored 19 goals in those matches. Unbeaten since mid-October, Madrid face a tough trip to fifth-placed RC Celta de Vigo, and are without the suspended Fernando Hierro.