Bongarts
| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
VALENCIA  Alves Mathieu, Ruiz, Rami, Jordi Alba Topal, Banega Pablo Hernandez, Jonas, Feghouli Soldado | LEVERKUSEN  Leno Castro, Friedrich, Toprak, Kadlec Rolfes, Bender Sam, Ballack, Schurrle Kiessling |
With goals certainly needed as a draw will do little for the Spanish, Jonas will likely start behind Roberto Soldado, with Sofiane Feghouli earning a spot on the left after bagging a brace versus Getafe on Saturday.
Sergio Canales and Hedwiges Maduro are long-term casualties for Los Che, with the former potentially out for the rest of the season after suffering a cruciate ligamanet injury versus Athletic Bilbao last week. Maduro could be out until February with ankle ligament damage.
For the Germans, Michael Ballack's availability is in question after he broke his nose in last Friday's 1-0 win over Freiburg. However, he is expected to play with a protective mask. First-choice shot-stopper Rene Adler remains out of action after undergoing knee surgery in the close season.
Renato Augusto, Tranquillo Barnetta and Michael Ortega are all out with varying knee injuries.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
Valencia sit in fourth place in La Liga but only in third in Group E in the Champions League, four points behind Leverkusen and five behind Chelsea.
- The 3-1 win over Getafe on Saturday in domestic league action was the side's first win of the year by more than one goal.
- In the Group E encounter, a Valencia loss combined with a Chelsea win would eliminate the Spanish club's chances of making the knockout stage.
- Leverkusen sit in eighth place in the Bundesliga, but are in solid position in the Champions League with the chance to cement their future on Tuesday.
- The Germans will qualify for the knockout stage if they win and if Genk do not defeat Chelsea.
- At the very worst, Leverkusen will play in the Europa League if they win on Tuesday or if they tie and Genk fail to beat Chelsea, as those scenarios would eliminate the possibility of finishing fourth in the group.
Prediction
This represents the biggest game of the season for Valencia up to this point, with the match a must-win of they are to have any chance of progression to the knockout stages. The home side were perhaps unfortunate to leave Germany defeated, and with the Mestalla behind them, can claim the win they need.
Editor's Prediction
Valencia 2-1 Leverkusen 
