BARCELONA (Reuters) - Valencia have gone from being the laughing stock of La Liga a year ago to becoming the main challengers to Barcelona in the title race and face the biggest test of their credentials when they host Ernesto Valverde's leaders on Sunday. Valencia, the six times Liga champions who last lifted the title in 2004 under Rafael Benitez, are on a club record run of eight straight wins and another victory in Sunday's top-of-the-table clash would put them within a point of Barcelona. TITLE CONTENDERSBarnstorming Valencia have blown opponents away this season, thumping Real Betis 6-3, Malaga 5-0 and Sevilla 4-0. They have also learnt the art of earning scrappy, barely deserved wins, such as last Sunday's 2-0 victory at Espanyol, a game striker Santi Mina said showed Valencia had what it takes to compete with Barcelona for the title. "We cannot wait for Sunday's game and if we can sink our teeth into Barca, all the better."

Source: The Star November 23, 2017 12:11 UTC