Valencia coach Unai Emery has urged his table-topping side to seize their "opportunity to shine'' against Primera Division champions Barcelona on Wednesday.

Emery welcomes Pep Guardiola's side to La Mestalla with both sides in good spirits.

While the visitors are on a high following Saturday's 8-0 thrashing of Osasuna, Valencia are enjoying a superb start to the season which sees them top the early standings following three wins from as many matches.

Emery believes such form should give them hope of achieving his first win over the Catalans as Los Che boss.

He told reporters: "The first thing that we should do is believe. The second thing is being able to win.

"We are approaching this game with a winning mentality, but we are also capable of putting it into practice. We can do it, we have belief in ourselves and this is our opportunity to shine.

"Every game is a challenge, but it is true that Barcelona are a team who we have not been able to beat since I have arrived here. We have come close a couple of times here at Mestalla, but we haven't quite managed it.

"Our challenge is two-fold, because of what it means to beat Barcelona and the fact that it would keep us top of the league if Betis drop points.''

Emery's men traditionally play well against Barca but have yet to beat them under his guidance.

"We have to be even slicker than before, because we played well the last three times we faced Barcelona and drew two of those games,'' he said.

"We are looking to make these necessary improvements - keeping in place the things that we did well last time.''

Barca head south with a side bolstered in midfield by the summer signing of Cesc Fabregas and the continued rise to prominence of the prodigious Thiago.

The youngster is engaged in a constant scrap for playing time but insists he is relishing the competition.

"We are all different players and if we can click together that will help us make a great team,'' said Thiago.

"Cesc has really come into the team well and he is a great player. His ability to leave his marker is something not many have and he is really good in front of goal.''

In-form Valencia striker Roberto Soldado looks set to overcome a foot injury suffered at the weekend while Barca could rest Carles Puyol following the skipper's return from injury at the weekend. Gerard Pique is back in training but unlikely to be rushed back while Andres Iniesta and Alexis Sanchez are still out.

Match

if this one is a rout for Barcelona, would be pointless watching the rest of Barca matches

R.I.P Valencia

Lets do boiz, We can do it, Its not going to be easy but by God's Grace we will win, Barca for lyf!!!!

Valencia in front. Abidal OG

medjai:

Valencia in front. Abidal OG

wuld have been music to my ears if it was 90th min, time still dey for barca to do damage

2-1

Almost 3-1 Valencia. Soldado missed from two yards.
Barca's 3-4-3 clearly not working. Valencia exploiting Barca's weakness with the pace of Mathieu and trickery of Jordi Alba on the left.
Barca all over the place at the moment.

medjai:

Almost 3-1 Valencia. Soldado missed from two yards.
Barca's 3-4-3 clearly not working. Valencia exploiting Barca's weakness with the pace of Mathieu and trickery of Jordi Alba on the left.
Barca all over the place at the moment.

xciting newz

Soldado did a Torres.

Mathieu the left back for Valencia is really punishing Barcelona with exciting runs and crosses from the left flank.

BlueDiva:

Soldado did a Torres.

Don't know which is worse.
Looks like this is Spanish strikers miss week.

Abidal need to retire oooo, was that a cross or a shot?

I pray barca loses. It'll make the league interesting. Who would av believed barca could be no. 5 on the table. At dis rate champions league trophy is coming to England again. But I don't know which English team. Not arsenal sha. ℓ☺ℓ

Valencia dey make sense sha!

Valencia dey make sense sha!

The woman wen born this boy called MESSI really need award abeg, the woman tryyyyyyyy

Fabregas don score oooo, game on.

rubbish make persin try break hin leg jor

Dis Barca no dey lose game sef

Messi don start again, this guy no dey tire?

mukina2:

rubbish make persin try break hin leg jor

ha ha h8er.
the guy dey try for them.
He would chance Xavi as a starter soon.

87 mins 2-2 masherano yellow card

Villa misses a one on one, Barcelona really pressing for the winner.

Four Minutes added on

Valencia picks up a Red card.

A life saving tackle from Eva Banega just saved Valencia

Barca na waffi people o.
dem no dey carry last
kpata kpata na draw.

Great game. This is the real classico.