Make or break for Valencia at home to BATE

Valencia CF will be in optimistic mood for their crunch Champions League tie at home to BATE Borisov on Wednesday night. Valencia appear to be finding some form after a difficult start to the season under new coach Mauricio Pellegrini. That improvement was made clear by a battling display to earn a 2-0 win at home to previously unbeaten Atletico Madrid on Saturday night, thanks to goals from Roberto Soldado and Nelson Valdez. A win at home to Borisov on Wednesday is vital for Valencia's European ambitions and a win would be a huge step towards the last 16 of the competition and a financially rewarding tie in the last 16. BATE had won their first two games before Valencia produced a fine display in Minsk a fortnight ago to claim what was a slightly surprising 3-0 away win. 3 more points would leave Valencia with nine points in the group and with an away game against struggling Lille and a home match against Bayern Munich to come, the Spaniards would be favorites to partner Bayern into the next round. A defeat to BATE, would however, complicate matters and would leave Valencia probably needing at least a point against a powerful Bayern side and leave no room for errors in France. Pellegrini's injury problems have been lightened, with only Sergio Canales a significant long term absentee, while the return of David Albelda and Ever Banega has given more options in central midfield. Adil Rami is a doubt for Wednesday after injuring his back against Atletico Madrid, meaning Victor Ruiz could step in to partner Ruiz Costa in the back line. Elsewhere the only other debate is whether or not Vicente Guaita or Diego Alves will play in goal with Alves' speed perhaps being preferred to Guaita's superior all-round ability. The fans in Valencia's Mestalla Stadium will hope that whoever gets the nod they will enjoy a quiet evening on Wednesday.