Galinsky's CL Preview: Valencia CF (SPA) v FC Schalke 04 (GER)

Despite losing both David Silva and David Villa in the summer, Valencia haven’t looked back and are going into this tie sitting 3rd in La Liga. The club hasn’t lost in the league since their Dec 4th meeting with Real Madrid and had a fine Champions League Group Stage, finishing 2nd to Manchester United. Taking over the reigns from the departed World Cup winners Silva and Villa, Valencia have been led by Juan Mata, Aritz Arudriz, and right winger Pablo Hernandez who scored a brace in a 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid over the weekend.

Schalke on the other hand, have endured a lackluster season and are currently sitting in 10th in the wide open Bundesliga. Their recent form has been decent, as last week they managed to hold on to a 0-0 result against table toppers Borussia Dortmund, largely thanks to Manchester United target Manuel Neur’s man of the match performance in goal. Their form in the Champions League has been solid though, and expect Raul, who is marking his return to Spain since leaving Real Madrid, to keep this competitive going into the 2nd leg in Germany, where Schalke is unbeaten in Europe this season.

Prediction: A 2-all draw