Spanish giants Valencia have been handed tough opposition in the Champions League play-offs, but they need to try and win the first leg at their Mestalla.

Monaco have enjoyed a strong start to the new season and will now attempt to extend the promising run against the La Liga side.

Valencia were involved in a highly entertaining battle for a top 4 finish with Atletico Madrid and Sevilla last term, and while they eventually clinched Champions League qualification, los Che missed out on automatic berth by a single point.

Nuno Espirito Santo and his players hoped to be pitted against easier opposition in the qualifying play-offs, but they will now have to try and pip Monaco to a place in the group stages.

That is not going to be an easy task judging by team’s results from pre-season, with los Che suffering defeats to Bayern, Koln and AS Roma, while sharing spoils with Werder and FC Porto.

Valencia did make several promising signings this summer, with Matt Ryan, Danilo Barbosa, Zakaria Bakkali and Santi Mina joining, but the absence of Nicolas Otamendi is creating serious problems at the back.

The Argentina is on the verge of joining Manchester City and will not be in the squad to face Monaco, with Ruben Vezo expected to replace him.

With that in mind, odds of 1.83 (5/6) offered on home win are not too tempting, especially with important midfielder Andre Gomes also sidelined.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Ryan – Barragan, Mustafi, Vezo, Gaya – Parejo, Fuego, Perez – Rodrigo, Alcacer, Piatti.

Last season showed that Monaco are slowly developing into European powerhouses and club’s decision to focus on signing young and talented footballers is likely to yield great results in years to come.

The Principality club performed really well in both France and Europe last term, and they hope to reach the Champions League group stages for the second year running.

Monaco have been pretty impressive at the start of the new season, hammering Young Boys in the CL qualifying stages, while starting the Ligue 1 campaign with an away triumph over Nice.

Leonardo Jardim’s charges could only muster a goalless draw against Lille on Friday, but chances are they were more concerned with the Valencia clash.

With los Che far from the desired form at the moment, there may be some value in backing Monaco not to lose at 2.15 (23/20).

Just like his counterpart, Leonardo Jardim faces some selection problems, seeing as how Joao Moutinho and Layvin Kurzawa are out injured and Aymen Abdennour nears summer exit.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Subasic – Raggi, Wallace, Carvalho, Elderson – Fabinho, Toulalan – Dirar, Bernardo Silva, Cavaleiro – Martial.