LaLiga 2018/19 predictions: Are Barca set for another league title?

Valencia

Club captain Dani Parejo will look to lead the squad to another great season

A stellar league campaign last year saw Valencia finish 4th, just 3 points behind Real Madrid and it also sealed a spot in this season's champions league.

Manager Marcelino's side will look to do pretty much the same as last season, despite losing key players from last year's campaign such as Andreas Pereira, and João Cancelo to Manchester United and Juventus, respectively.

On the brighter side, they made Geoffrey Kondogbia's loan from Inter Milan permanent for €25 million and that will solidify the midfield led by their experienced captain Dani Parejo.

French forward Kevin Gameiro, experienced midfielder Daniel Wass, striker Mitchi Batshuayi (on loan from Chelsea) and world cup hero Denis Cheryshev (on loan from Villareal) all add much-needed depth to a squad that will be looking to at least make it past the group stage in this season's Champions League.

It will be interesting, however, to see how Marcelino manages the squad to ensure that his team's league campaign isn't disrupted by their European adventure.

Last season's stand out performer, young Portuguese forward Gonçalo Guedes also looks likely to return on a permanent transfer after his parent club PSG left him out of their pre-season squad.

This could be young forward Santi Mina's breakout season.

Valencia's season could very well be defined by the performances of their forwards Rodrigo and Santi Mina. The two were brilliant last season, and Santi Mina, only 22, could be looking at a career-defining season as another good campaign would surely attract the interests of bigger clubs across the continent.

Expect Valencia to give the big three a tough fight this season as they look to secure that final Champions League spot for a second straight season.