Valencia vs Deportivo La Coruna preview - Guardado set for quick reunion

Valencia forward Andres Guardado is looking forward to facing some of his old team-mates when Deportivo La Coruna visit the Mestalla.

The Mexican spent five years with the Galicians before moving to Valencia this summer, and despite his affection for Depor, he is hoping to get one over on his former club.

He told the club's website: "It is going to be very special, I didn't expect to meet my former team-mates so quickly.

"It is going to be very nice for me. I left many friends there, I had a very good final year at Depor, but now I defend other colours, another club, and therefore I hope to get a good result against them."

The last time these two sides met in the Primera Division a 2-0 win for Valencia consigned Depor to relegation, and Guardado is all too aware of what it would mean for the visitors to gain some level of revenge.

"When I was on the other side I already saw that a rivalry existed due to the circumstances and coincidences of football," he said.

"There have been many important matches between Deportivo and Valencia. I lived through the relegation and the people there have not forgotten it, but I hope it will be a sporting match and nothing more."

Guardado is expected to retain his place in the side ahead of Nelson Valdez, while Aly Cissokho is not expected to take part after only completing his transfer from Lyon on Friday, meaning Mauricio Pellegrino is likely to name the same side that started the 1-1 draw with Real Madrid last weekend.

Meanwhile, Deportivo coach Jose Luis Oltra believes attack will be his side's best form of defence and insists he and his players will not be overawed when playing away from home this season.

He told Marca: "We are not going to give up the three points at any ground, or against any rival."

"We have to compete well, adapt ourselves to the game and go there convinced that we can win.

"To take a point in the Mestalla you have to score at least a goal and to win, at least two.

"If this is my thinking I can't say to my players that we are going to defend, although it is another thing to say we have to start with the defensive work collectively."

Oltra's main decision will be whether to start with Riki or Nelson Oliveira up front as both scored in the 2-0 win over Osasuna on Monday night, while Carlos Marchena will marshal the defence on his return to the Mestalla.