Valencia vs Hercules Match Preview
Esteban Vigo's Hercules have proven to be an erratic team, and this can be their strongest weapon this Sunday at the Mestalla to catch Unai Emery's Valencia off-guard. This will be the first time the Valencian derby is played at the Primera Division in fifteen years, and the visitors will be looking forward to celebrate their second victory against Valencia, who's taken the full scoring 14 out of 19 times.
Hercules' strikers score only three goals away this season --all of them thanks to Nelson Haedo Valdez-- and it'd be impossible to retain the category without some quick improvement on their performance outside Alicante. Dutch international Royston Drenthe returns to the starting squad, having missed the last two games, as well as Olivier Thomert, though team's coach might choose not to risk him unless necessary as he's just recovered from a long-time injury.
Valencia's coach will have to do without Juan Mata, and it looks like Chori Dominguez will be Roberto Soldado's and Artiz Aduriz's partner on the attack, taking over Pablo Hernandez's or Joaquin's place. Sent off during the last game, Ricardo Acosta will be making way for David Navarro.
Valencia needs the three points to keep up with Villarreal and Athletic's pace on the chase for the last Champion League's qualifying place. Everything can happen on Sunday's late game at the Mestalla, who'd take the three points?