Following the previous fixture, there was some analysis of the game against Barcelona with articles questioning the penalty decision against Gaya and whether Messi's goal was offside.
From the management side, it is reported that Kim Koh has officially left his role at Valencia and will link up with Peter Lim in Singapore to take on a role in one of his businesses.
Finally, Javier Tebas gave another interview, this time with goal.com, and was questioned yet again about the situation of Valencia. He believes the current affairs aren't as bad as people make them out to be. He justifies the sales the club has to make by saying that Valencia was hit by two "pandemics", COVID and failing to qualify for the Champions League which together cost the team 90 million euros. He added that he knows Peter Lim to be on top of everything despite the fact that he runs the club from thousands of kilometers away. When asked about how Marcelino and Alemany were sacked, he said that it was to be expected when a coach challenges the owner's every step. About the fans, he said he is worried about the detachment of some fans, before saying that he understand their anger but the club is in a time is in a time of transition. Read more here.
PREVIEW
Valencia played a good game away against Barcelona in the previous matchday. They ended the game 2-2 but the scoreline doesn't tell the whole story as Valencia had the better chances of the two teams. Valencia took the lead from a set-piece routine right off the training ground, as Diakhaby lost his marker and connected with Soler's corner delivery to head it past the keeper. Barcelona would equalize after being awarded a controversial penalty which, although saved by Jaume, was converted to a goal by a Messi header from the resulting cross. Barcelona would grab a goal from an unlikely source with their defender volleying the ball past Jaume. However, Valencia would tie the game after Guedes and Gaya combined brilliantly to set up a chance for Maxi Gomez which was flicked past the keeper.
Sevilla played a 1-1 draw at home against Real Valladolid. Despite enjoying the majority of possession, the game was pretty much even in chances. Sevilla took the lead in the first half from the penalty spot. They would hold on to their lead for the remained of the game until Raul Garcia struck a stunning volley following a corner which was headed on towards him.
Valencia are currently 13th with 15 points from 13 games while Sevilla are 7th with 20 points from 12 games.
FORM (all competitions)
Valencia: DWDDL
Sevilla: DWWLL
SQUAD
Goalkeeping: Cillissen remains injured with expected return beyond the winter transfer market.
Defense: Toni Lato will miss this game due to testing positive for COVID. Guillamon is still in recovery from his injury.
Midfield: Racic was not feeling well and missed a training session with the team. Gracia waited for him until the last minute but he hasn't felt better so he is not part of the squad list. Kang In also felt last minute discomfort and trained separately with Guillamon but is expected to return to face Granada in the next matchday.
Offense: Gameiro is still in recovery from his injury with no estimated time of recovery available.
Lineup: Garcia opts for 3 central defenders. This could be 5 at the back with Gaya and Jason as wing-backs, Wass in midfield alongside Soler, with Cheryshev, Gomez and Guedes in offense. Alternatively, but more unlikely, that one of the central defenders will be used in a holding midfield role.
FIRST HALF
17' - First change of the game for Valencia, the injured Paulista is replaced by Guillem Molina
45' - Four minutes added by the referee for stoppages
45+2' - Yellow card shown to Wass for a heavy challenge on Luuk de Jong
45+4' - Guedes's cross takes a deflection of the defender but lands to the feet of Cheryshev. He hits it first time but straight at the keeper.
SECOND HALF
55' - Yellow card shown to Luuk de Jong for a foul on Guillem Molina
59' - First change for Sevilla, Luuk de Jong off, En-Nesyri on.
69' - Double substitution for Valencia, Gaya and Cheryshev are replaced by Blanco and Musah. Double change for Sevilla. Rakitic and Vidal replaced Oscar Rodriguez and Jesus Navas
71' - Yellow card shown to Carlos Soler for dissent against the referee
78' - Yellow card shown to Guillem Molina for a foul on Lucas Ocampos to stop the counter attack
81' - Goal for Sevilla. 0-1. Rakitic with the pass for Suso who takes a shot from outside of the box. Jaume got a hand to it but couldn't keep it out
82' - Yellow card shown to Joan Jordan for a tackle from behind on Guedes
84' - Final change for Valencia as Mangala is replaced by Vallejo
86' - Final change for Sevilla, Munir on, Suso off.
90' - Four minutes added by the referee for stoppages
FULL-TIME
Full-time stats. 10-19 shots, 4-3 shots on target, 30-70% possession, 68-84% pass accuracy
Next game for Valencia is the final one for 2020. It is away to Granada on the 30th of December.