Bottom-placed Deportivo La Coruna are desperate to put some points on the board after losing last four league matches, but this is hardly the right time to be facing red-hot Valencia. Meanwhile, los Che are showing no signs of slowing down having hammered reigning champions Atletico Madrid to remain in second place.

Swift return to Segunda?

One of Spain’s most famous clubs did well to return to the elite division after spending just one year in Segunda, but it appears they could be back to the second tier in no time. The club management have reinforced the squad over the summer despite operating on a tight budget, but things haven’t gone as planned. While Deportivo recovered well from the poor start to beat Eibar on the road, they have been pretty disappointing ever since, suffering four straight defeats and conceding 15 goals in the process. This has seen them slip to rock bottom in the La Liga standings and no doubt the current league position will place extra pressure on what is not too experienced squad, at least by La Liga standards. La Coruna’s inability to match Spain’s top sides were evident in 8-2 loss to Real Madrid and 4-1 defeat to Sevilla, with los Rojiblancos also missing a penalty in the process. This is enough to suggest Deportivo could face all sorts of problems when they face Valencia, a team that are clearly on top of their game at the moment.

Helder Postiga, Roberto Canella, Diogo Salomao and Juan Dominguez are all unavailable, but German Lux and Isaac Cuenca are back in contention.

Unstoppable Valencia

Valencia are clearly enjoying one of the most successful seasons in recent history, with the team seriously exceeding all expectations in the opening exchanges. The new feel-good factor linked with the heavy investment in the playing squad has helped new boss Nuno Espirito Santo and his players, with los Che yet to suffer the first setback of the season. While holding Sevilla and Real Sociedad to 1-1 draws on the road, Valencia have won the remaining five league fixtures, with 3-1 triumph over holders Atletico Madrid arguably the best result so far. It was quite impressive to watch los Che completely outclass one of Europe’s top sides and seeing as how the players are brimming with confidence at the moment, rock-bottom Deportivo La Coruna are unlikely to cause them too many problems. Valencia won the only away fixture against a bottom-table side, hammering Getafe 3-0, and that should give us a clear idea as to what to expect from the match in Galicia, especially given that los Che have won six and drawn two of last eight matches at Riazor.

Andre Gomes is fit to play despite missing some training this week, but Alvaro Negredo will not be in contention for starting places.

Verdict

Deportivo La Coruna are going through a very rough patch at the moment, having lost last four matches and they are completely low on confidence ahead of the Valencia clash. Los Che, on the other hand, are playing their best football in years and they have got to be considered hot favourites to win at Riazor.

Top pick: Away win   1.92 (23/25) @ BetVictor

Alternative pick 1: Over 2.5 goals   1.95 (19/20) @ bet365

Alternative pick 2: Valencia/Valencia   3.00 (2/1) @ William Hill