Champions League Group C preview: Valencia to seal last 16 spot

Valencia enter their Champions League clash with Bursaspor on Wednesday one victory short of a safe passage to the knockout stages.

The Spanish club are second on the Group C table with seven points, three behind Manchester United and two ahead of Rangers in third.

Bursaspor, meanwhile, have not collected a single point nor managed to get on the scoresheet in any of their four group matches.

Valencia will need the three points to progress if Rangers can upset United at Ibrox, but a draw with Bursaspor will suffice if United are victorious.

Victory against the winless Turkish champions should be elementary, but Valencia go into the tie hampered by injuries.

Manager Unai Emery will be unable to call on captain David Navarro and fellow defender Miguel Monteira after the pair suffered thigh strains in Saturday’s 1-1 La Liga draw at Villarreal.

Left-back Jeremy Mathieu is already sidelined with a calf problem, while midfielder Jordi Alba, striker Juan Mata and first-choice stopper Cesar are also likely to miss the match at the Mestalla.

Valencia defender Ricardo Costa has cautioned his team-mates against expecting an easy win on Wednesday, predicting the Turkish club will present a stubborn challenge.

“I want to win the game on Wednesday,” Costa said.

“We have Manchester United in the last match, who may not be as strong as in recent seasons, but first we must think of the Turks.””We have to win and give everything in order to be the better team. If we do not score early, they might gain confidence.”

“The Turkish team is good, even though they have failed to win or score. We must have respect but score early in order to stay in control of the game.””I hope that the stadium is full and the fans help us win the game from the first minute. The team need the help of the public.”

Valencia smashed Bursaspor 4-0 in their away leg, with Alberto Costa and Pablo Hernandez each claiming a goal and an assist.

Striker Soldado, who also scored at Bursa, leads Valencia’s European goal tally with three from four group matches.