Valencia come into this one with a point to prove. That 1-2 friendly defeat to Newcastle at Mestalla in early August will have stung. Pre-season is about sharpening the knife, not results, but the home faithful will want a response when the real business starts. The squad has been reinforced this summer — the arrivals of Ryunosuke Sato and others have added fresh legs and a bit of unknown quality. That's exactly what a side like Valencia need: new energy, new ideas, a spark. They'll be desperate to make Mestalla a fortress again, and this early-season clash against a mid-table rival is the perfect stage to set the tone.

Celta, on the other hand, are a puzzle. Their recent away form in La Liga tells a story of inconsistency: two wins, two draws, two defeats in their last six on the road, with goals flying in both ends — seven scored, seven conceded. That's a team that can hurt you but also bleed. They've got attacking quality, no doubt, but they're not a side that travels with confidence. And there's a cloud hanging over them: Impact Duran's shoulder surgery, a key contributor last season, is a blow to their creative output. They'll miss his five goals and two assists. This is a Celta side that can be got at, especially away from Balaídos.