Cordoba vs Valencia preview - Otamendi aims for Champions League

Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi has insisted his side are not focused on challenging Atletico Madrid for third place in the table, stressing that their number one aim remains getting back into the Champions League.

There is just a three-point difference between Valencia and the champions after Diego Simeone's side lost at Celta last week and Valencia saw off Getafe.

Los Che will be hoping to at least maintain that gap when they travel to bottom-placed Cordoba on Saturday, while Atletico host Almeria.

However, Otamendi says his side are not keeping one eye on Atletico.

He told a press conference: "Our objective is to get into the Champions League and we don't mind if we do it by finishing third or fourth. We just want to stay near the top of the table, and our objective is to qualify.

"Of course, if the teams above us drop points then it's very welcome. But our aim is just to qualify. Last weekend was very good for us because we got an important victory which took us a bit closer."

Although imperious at the Mestalla this season, where they have won eight of 10 games, Valencia have struggled for form away from home, but were victorious on their last trip, to Espanyol.

Otamendi is hoping the 2-1 win in Barcelona is not just an anomaly and is looking for a repeat performance at Cordoba.

"Our objective is to improve our away form, whilst knowing that we are very strong at home, but we need to be consistent away from home so we can fight for our objective," he said.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side will be without midfielder Enzo Perez and full-back Antonio Barragan for the trip to Cordoba, while striker Paco Alcacer is still suffering from a knee problem and is set to be out for at least another month.

Cordoba are without midfielder Patrick Ekeng, who was sent off just seven minutes after coming off the bench in the 3-0 defeat at Sevilla, while Valencia loanee Fede Cartabia is not allowed to face his parent club due to the terms of his loan deal.

Cordoba's four-game losing streak has seen them return to the bottom of the Primera Division, but forward Bebe had a cautionary message for his old boss Nuno, who coached him at Portuguese side Rio Ave.

"Valencia should expect to meet a very strong Cordoba side that wants to get out of the relegation zone," the former Manchester United man told a press conference.

"If we all pitch in we'll win and forget about our doubts and move closer to survival."