After no wins in their opening three games, Valencia will be out to end that run against Real Betis on Saturday.
Valencia boss Marcelino on the importance of winning ahead of his side’s Champions League debut: “The Champions League was a great prize for a great season.
“We want to compete in it and dispute it, but we can’t distract ourselves. If we want Valencia to grow and get closer to the great teams in the League, we have to stay fourth in the League.
“Competing with three teams who are, I think, among the top five in Europe is very difficult, but we have to win because we haven’t won yet.
“We have a good team and we need to win, so all our attention is on this game. Objectives are met at the end of May, and for us to finish fourth we have to pick up more than 70 points. Right now we have two.”
Betis boss Quique Setien on what score he would give his team in the football pools: “I’d put down a two [for the win], obviously.
“I have a lot of confidence in my team, in the things we’re doing. There are things we can improve on, but the team are progressing and doing things better.
“We have to convince ourselves we have a lot of potential, we’re doing a lot of things well and that if we have more of that conviction, the team will show it.
“Maybe you don’t see it in the short term, but with perspective you can see the differences between the Betis of this season and last.”
Valencia (probable): Neto; Piccini, Diakhaby, Gabriel, Gaya; Soler, Kondogbia, Parejo, Wass; Gameiro, Rodrigo
Injuries/suspensions: Garay, Coquelin (I)
Real Betis (probable): Pau; Mandi, Bartra, Sidnei; Barragan, Boudebouz, Javi Garcia, Guardado, Joaquin, Junior; Sergio Leon
Injuries/suspensions: Carvalho, Feddal (I)
Referee: Hernandez Hernandez
Previous meeting: Valencia 2-0 Betis
Form guide: Valencia (D L D – -) Betis (W D L – -)
Venue: Mestalla
Kick-off time: 17:30 BST/18:30 local time
