Need To Know: Valencia CF vs. Alavés

Special opponents for Cillessen
Deportivo Alavés are special opposition for Jasper Cillessen. The Duch goalkeeper played his first LaLiga game against the Basque side, having only had three training sessions with FC Barcelona. Whilst he conceded twice early on, eight months later he would be part of Barça's winning side in the Copa del Rey final against Alavés.

A win to help VCF into the Champions League
Last season, Valencia CF made a statement about their Champions League credentials in the penultimate matchday of the campaign. A 3-1 win, through goals from Carlos Soler, Santi Mina and Kevin Gameiro, as well as a slipup for rivals Getafe, gave VCF the advantage heading into the final weekend.

Rubén Sobrino and Pacheco
Rubén Sobrino is part of the Valencia CF squad for the game, and is in contention for minutes against his former club. Of the players still at Alavés from his time there, Tomás Piña was an important influence on Sobrino, telling him that he would play for Valencia CF. Unavailable for the away side is Pacheco, the goalkeeper with whom Sobrino spent time in the Real Madrid youth system and then at Alavés at senior level.

Antonio Sivera returns to Mestalla
With Pachecho out, Antonio Sivera is likely to feature in goal for Alavés. The shotstopper is a VCF Academy product, and has already played at Mestalla for his current club in the Copa del Rey. He was part of the Spanish Under-21s side that won the European Championships this past summer, alongside Carlos Soler and Manu Vallejo.