The Europa League takes centre stage on Thursday evening and the all Spanish clash between Atletico Madrid and Valencia makes plenty of appeal.
Both sides have impressed in the competition so far and obviously know each other pretty well from their domestic endeavours.
They met at the quarter-final stage of this same competition three years ago and Atletico triumphed on their way to winning the trophy when they beat Fulham in the final.
That is a good omen for Atletico but it will not be a straightforward night for them, despite the fact they have the potential matchwinner, and one of the continent’s true rising star’s in Radamel Falcao, in their ranks.
Expect the home side to come out on top but Valencia will approach the game with confidence as they have had a decent league campaign so far, sitting in third place – five above their semi-final opponents.
They have also edged the league matches between them, winning 1-0 at the Mestalla and drawing 0-0 away – a result, if they can match it here, that they would grab with both hands if it were offered pre-kick-off.
Atletico have won four of their last six going into this game and we see another victory for them, despite their lower league position. Valencia, who were beaten 4-0 at Espanyol on Sunday, will have other ideas but look like having it all to do come the second leg.
