Valencia kick off the new LaLiga campaign at Mestalla with a point to prove. The brief shows a squad hit by injuries — Diego Lopez, Sergi Canos, Alberto Mari, Dimitri Foulquier, Luis Rioja and Umar Sadiq all sidelined — yet that only sharpens the focus. Home crowds at Mestalla demand intensity, and Valencia know a slow start is unacceptable. They'll be desperate to set the tone, especially after a pre-season that included a friendly against Newcastle. No competitive results to lean on, but the hunger is real.

Celta Vigo arrive in Valencia with their own momentum. They play Osasuna just days before this trip, which tells you they're already battle-hardened. The sky-blues have a dangerous forward in Borja Iglesias, a striker who commands solidarity from his fans and attention from defenders. But away from Balaídos, Celta can be fragile. They're a side that loves the ball but often lacks the grit to grind out results on the road. Valencia, even with injuries, will smell blood in front of their own fans.

This is the first home game of the season. The Mestalla crowd will be a furnace. Valencia's recent history at home against mid-table visitors like Celta is strong — they know how to control these games. Celta, meanwhile, will be happy to leave with a point, which tells you everything about the balance of power here.