Free-scoring Valencia the team to beat

– Valencia have been the butt of many jokes in La Liga in the past few seasons as they veered from one crisis to the next, but they could have the last laugh this campaign as they serve up exciting, swashbuckling football while remaining unbeaten.

Highly respected Spanish coach Marcelino (left) has given the team a radical makeover which has seen them shoot up to second in the standings with four consecutive wins.

Their explosive form has reignited hopes they can return to the Champions League next season but they face a test of their mettle today against Sevilla, who have reached Europe’s elite competition two years in a row.

Barcelona

Barcelona, who are four points above Valencia at the top of the standings, host basement club Malaga today while champions Real Madrid host Eibar tomorrow. Atletico Madrid will be looking to snap a run of four games without a win when they visit Celta Vigo.

Only Liga leaders Barcelona have scored more than their 21 goals in eight games.

Last week they won 6-3 at Real Betis in a magnificently chaotic game. Valencia went 4-0 up after 73 minutes but their old propensity for disaster reared its head as they conceded three goals in the space of five minutes and risked blowing their lead, but instead scored twice more at the end to rise to second. – Reuters