Valencia vs. Barcelona: How the Blaugrana Should Line Up in La Liga Game

Valencia welcome Barcelona to Mestalla in a game where the stakes couldn't be too much higher.

Just four points and two places separate the two sides at the top of La Liga, with only Real Madrid above them at the summit.

Los Che are playing a brand of football that supporters of the club became used to in the glory days of a few years ago. There's certainly a feeling of the club being back where it belongs and much of the credit for this must go to new owner Peter Lim.

Since his takeover of the club in May of this year, the feelgood factor has continued unabated as the club have gone from strength to strength, both on and off the pitch.

Just the two (very disappointing) losses all season against Deportivo La Coruna and Levante is as good as any others in the league, and only by virtue of the most draws (three) out of the top-five teams do Valencia find themselves fourth rather than any higher.

If any more good news was needed, it came in the form of a full debut for Alvaro Negredo last week.

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

Paco Alcacer and Rodrigo continue to trouble most defences and enjoy full support in their work from Sofiane Feghouli and Pablo Piatti, both of whom have been industrious and incisive at the crucial moments this season.

Barca are buoyed after a stunning win against Sevilla last time out and whilst Lionel Messi has taken all of the plaudits, the all-round game from the Blaugrana shouldn't be overlooked.

Let's not forget that before the match, Unai Emery's side had only conceded 11 goals. The same as Real Madrid and only marginally worse than Valencia and Barcelona.

They came into the match in good form and were put to the sword.

Luis Enrique will be hoping for more of the same at a ground where the Catalans have traditionally fared well. 

"

New grass in Mestalla. Ready for Barcelona - and Peter Lim. pic.twitter.com/oczJCwBcvs

— Michael Jacobsen (@VCF_Nordic) November 22, 2014"

Indeed, we have to go back to 2008 for Barca's last defeat there, a quarter-final Copa del Rey reverse, per Fussball Wettpoint. A Barca side hasn't tasted La Liga defeat at Mestalla since 2007.

Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in this fixture last season and after finally ridding himself of the monkey on his back last weekend, who would bet against more of the same from arguably the world's best player?

Neymar and Luis Suarez will continue in what is Enrique's first-choice front three, the latter hoping to finally break his own scoring duck.

Andres Iniesta should finally be fit to start but may not end up playing the full 90, and alongside Ivan Rakitic and Sergio Busquets, the little magician should have more than enough to trouble Andre Gomes and Javi Fuego.

It's at the back where Enrique has a conundrum, and where he has failed to find a settled four.

David Ramos/Getty Images

Dani Alves is a shoo-in for the right-back slot, and it's highly likely that Jordi Alba will face his old side. Centrally Enrique can perm any one from four.

Gerard Pique has found some form despite a fleeting dalliance with the first team recently, Marc Bartra too. Javier Mascherano was left out against Sevilla but it would be hard to justify leaving him on the sidelines again.

Jeremy Mathieu returned last weekend after a recent injury and a start against his old employers beckons.

Fasten your seat belts.