Gary Neville will be in the stands – but not the dugout – as Valencia risk their year-long unbeaten run at home in La Liga this evening against Barcelona.
The Englishman succeeded Nuno Santo at the helm on Wednesday, but tonight’s visit of the champions has come too soon for him, so club legend Salvador Voro will oversee proceedings for a second game running.
On the pitch, meanwhile, both sides are much-changed from their Copa del Rey excursions in the week, with a combined 15 additions being sanctioned by either trainer.
Valencia’s last League defeat at Mestalla came in November 2014, coincidentally against Barca, who prevailed thanks to Sergio Busquets’ goal in the dying embers.
Valencia: Domenech; Vezo, Santos, Abdennour, Gaya; Parejo, Danilo, Perez; Mina, Alcacer, De Paul
Subs: Ryan, Diallo, Villalba, Carbonell, Bakkali, Gil, Piatti
Barcelona: Bravo; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Neymar
Subs: Ter Stegen, Adriano, Bartra, Vermaelen, Munir, Sandro
Referee: Jaime Latre