Valencia midfielder Andre Gomes. (Photo : Getty Images)
Middling squads Valencia CF (11-15-11, 44 points) and Real Sociedad (12-16-9, 45 points) square off with one another in their final 2015-2016 La Liga season game at the Mestalla Stadium on Friday, May 13th.
The two teams have lost their chances at a Europa League qualifying berth after going on separate winless spells late in the current term. However, both clubs are set to stay in Spain's first division domestic competitions as they are safely eight and nine points above the bottom three relegation zone with only one matchday left in the season.
Valencia lost a disappointing 2-3 match with current second-running squad Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium last Sunday, as reported by SkySports.
Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo gave Los Blancos the early lead with a right-footed strike from outside the box at the 26th minute off an assist by Marcelo. French striker Karim Benzema then doubled the lead three minutes before the end of the first half to give the hosts a 2-0 advantage at the break.
Valencia winger Rodrigo answered with a goal ten minutes into the second half of play to make it 2-1, but Ronaldo netted another one for a double just four minutes later to make it a two-goal lead once again, 3-1.
Los Che midfielder Andre Gomes tried to stage a comeback by scoring nine minutes before full time, but Rodrigo was sent off at the 83rd to crush all hopes for the visitors.
Pako Ayestarán's squad is settled at the 11th spot of the league table as they are nursing a two-game losing slide and had been winless in three straight games.
Meanwhile, Real Sociedad nipped bottom three club Rayo Vallecano, 2-1, at the Anoeta Stadium also last Sunday, as per ESPN.
Txuriurdin overcame a one-man disadvantage in the final 14 minutes after Esteban Granero was sent off at the 76th to hold on for the win.
Eusebio Sacristán's men scored the first two goals of the contest at the 12th and 50th, courtesy of Mikel Oyarzabal and Jon Bautista, before Rayo striker Javi Guerra netted a consolation one at the 69th.
The predicted result is a close 2-1 victory for Valencia.
Valencia starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Alves; Barragan, Mustafi, Abdennour, Siqueira; Parejo, Perez, Fuego; Cancelo, Alcacer, Negredo
Real Sociedad starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Rulli; Elustondo, Gonzalez, Reyes, de la Bella; Illarramendi, Granero; Prieto, Zurutuza, Oyarzabal; Vela
