Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Mestalla as Valencia welcome Levante in what is a local derby. The home side have their sights on a top-four finish this season, but Levante are desperately battling to retain their La Liga status. Here's to a cracking game!

First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.

TEAMS:

VALENCIA: Alves; Cancelo, Mustafi, Vezo, Orban; Fuego, Gomes, Parejo; Feghouli, Alcacer, Rodrigo

LEVANTE: Marino; Morales, Vyntra, Ramis, Tono; Simao, Jose Mari; El Zhar, Ivanschitz, Casadesus; Barral

So there we have it. Valencia are without key centre-back Nicolas Otamendi through suspension, while left-back Jose Gaya is still on the sidelines alongside midfielders Enzo Perez and Pablo Piatti. That means there are starts for Joao Cancelo and Ruben Vezo, while the skipper Dani Parejo has returned from suspension. Again, Paco Alcacer will lead the line for Los Che tonight ahead of Alvaro Negredo.

Levante, meanwhile, are without the suspended Juanfran and injured Pape Diop, but it is otherwise a strong XI. David Barral, who has made a habit of scoring hat-tricks this season, once again leads the line, while Nabil El Zhar and Victor Casadesus also start in what is a team full of pace and purpose.

Surprisingly, Valencia have lost their last two derbies against Levante and have only won one of the last six. That said, Levante have never won in this stadium. Earlier this season, Levante won the reverse game 2-1, but the corresponding match at the Mestalla last season ended in a 2-0 home victory.

Valencia, who drew 1-1 at Athletic Bilbao last Thursday after conceding a late goal, have only lost one of their last 16 league games at the Mestalla and it has been strong home form that their success this season has been based on. As it stands, they sit fourth in the table on 62 points, four points behind third-place Atletico Madrid, who have played a game more. That said, they are far from comfortable in the top four, with Sevilla's excellent form seeing them move level on points with Los Che at the weekend.

As mentioned, Valencia's home form has been strong this season, but only Barcelona have lost fewer away games. That said, Los Che have only won six of their 15 league games on their travels, which is not quite at the level of the top two. Nuno's side have the second best defence at this stage of the season (23 conceded), meanwhile, with only Barcelona conceding fewer. Very impressive indeed.

Levante, meanwhile, currently sit 18th. They are level on points with 17th-place Almeria and 16th-place Deportivo La Coruna, however, and indeed just three points from 14th. It is a real dogfight at the bottom of the table, with only Cordoba, who are nine points from safety, being cut adrift.

Levante have won five of their 15 home league games this season, which is far from disastrous in relation to the teams around them. However, they have only won two of their 15 away games – scoring just 13 times in the process. The visitors are also not in particularly good form overall – losing three of their last four league games. In truth, it is a big ask for them to take something from this one.

PREDICTION! Valencia are missing some key defenders tonight, but I still expect them to have too much for this Levante side. It might be tight for long spells, but home win for me. Score: 2-0 Valencia.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. As expected, there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium. It is the away side that get the first 45 minutes underway.

You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be crucial here. If Levante are to secure a positive result then they will need to start well. Valencia are in control early on here.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to take an early lead as Ivanschitz meets a cross from the right, but his header is just wide of the post. What an opportunity for Levante!

Levante will be pleased with their start this match as they win a couple of free kicks in their own half before building from the back. Barral is playing as the lone striker for the visitors and his pace will concern the Valencia defence there is no doubt about that. Really good start from Levante in this one.

Not too much in terms of Valencia pressure in the opening seven minutes, with Levante very much the team on the front foot. This is not the start that the home supporters would wanted or expected. El Zhar is the latest player to threaten the home side's defence, but he is penalised for a high tackle.

Half-chance for the home side as Rodrigo delivers a low cross towards Alcacer, but the striker just cannot make contact ahead of Vyntra, who does well to slide and then hack clear of the penalty box.

Just a few signs that Valencia are getting to grips with this game, but a poor free kick from Parejo hands possession straight back to Levante, who have had a positive opening 10 minutes here.

GOAL DISALLOWED! Valencia have the ball in the back of the net through Alcacer, but Feghouli, who found the striker inside the box, was in an offside position when he collected the initial pass.

Replays have shown that Feghouli was actually onside there. Poor from the linesman!

Valencia should be ahead, but they are not and Levante threaten down the other end with Ivanschitz, but the midfielder's cross is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. It is a really good game here.

Another half-chance for the home side as Feghouli delivers a super cross into Alcacer, but Vyntra is across to make the block as Valencia force another corner. Plenty happening at the Mestalla here.

Valencia take the lead with 16 minutes on the clock as Alcacer heads a super Parejo cross into the bottom corner. Really good cross, but a smart header from the striker, who needed that goal!

Levante made a bright start to this game, but Valencia are really threatening now, with Feghouli causing all sorts of problems in a wide area. A second at this stage could really kill Levante here.

Levante remain a threat on the counter attack, but another cross from a wide area is collected by Alves, who releases Parejo down the other end. Feghouli is causing all sorts of problems down the right as he runs past his full-back once again. The opening 21 minutes here have flown past.

BOOKING! Jose Mari (Levante) is booked for a poor challenge on Parejo.

BOOKING! Mustafi (Valencia) has also been booked for going head-to-head with Jose Mari in response to the challenge. The referee was quick to deal with that turn of events there.

Valencia are comfortable at the moment as they pass and probe in the Levante half, but at 1-0, the visitors will always be in this game. The opening 23 minutes have had a really nice flow here.

Valencia again threaten and again it is Alcacer, but the striker was in an offside position when he collected a through pass from Gomes. The Spanish forward has been very lively thus far tonight.

I should not think that we have seen the last of the yellow cards here as the challenges continue to fly in from both sides, which is expected in a local derby. Valencia continue to look the most likely to add a second goal, but Levante are still a real threat on the counter with the pace of Barral and El Zhar.

Half-chance for the home side as Rodrigo cuts inside two defenders before curling one towards the top corner, but his effort was always moving high of the crossbar. Still 1-0 to Valencia in this one.

CHANCE! Better chance for Valencia this time as Rodrigo combines with Alcacer inside the box, but the former again fires wide of the goal. Levante are a little shaky at the back tonight.

Almost an opportunity for Levante as Jose Mari slides a super pass beyond the Valencia defence, but Vezo just manages to block ahead of Barral, who would have had a clear run at Alves there.

BOOKING! Parejo (Valencia) is booked for a late challenge on Jose Mari.

CHANCE! Just about Levante's best chance of the match as Casadesus sets up Barral inside the Valencia box, but the striker, who has been in good form, fires high and wide of the crossbar.

Levante miss a golden chance and what happens? Valencia go down the other end and score. It is another super cross, this time from Orban, and Feghouli is on hand to head into the bottom corner.

Is it game over already? It is difficult to see Levante coming back from 2-0 behind at the Mestalla. The visitors are still full of attacking intent, however, as they pass and probe in the final third here.

Just a reminder that, as it stands, Valencia are moving to within one point of third-place Atletico Madrid and three points clear of fifth-place Sevilla. Can Levante find a response in this first half?

Decent effort from Ivanschitz as the Levante attacker finds space on the edge of the box, but his low effort was always moving wide of the post. Alves remains largely untroubled in the Valencia goal.

Levante just cannot cope with Valencia's pace in wide areas at the moment as Rodrigo and Feghouli both break past their full-backs once again. The latter delivers towards the heads of Alcacer, but this time Vyntra is on hand to make the clearance. A third Valencia goal really would end this game.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Valencia leading 2-0 courtesy of goals from Alcacer and Feghouli. The opener came after just 16 minutes, before Feghouli scored a second 20 minutes later. Levante have carried a threat, but thus far struggled for clear opportunities.

STATS! Valencia have dominated the possession with 57%, while they have had six attempts - two of which have been on target and indeed two of which have been goals. Levante, meanwhile, have had four attempts, but failed to hit the target. There have also already been four bookings.

BENCH WATCH! Valencia boss Nuno has two obvious attacking options on his bench this evening, with both Alvaro Negredo and Rodrigo de Paul available. Levante, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Victor Camarasa, Ruben Garcia and Kalu Uche. Will we see any changes at the break?

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Levante find a route back into this match? It will be tough! The hosts get the second 45 minutes underway.

SUB! Levante have made one change at the break, with Ivan Lopez replacing Tono.

CROSSBAR! Oh my word! Ivan Lopez, who has just come onto the field, hammers one from outside the box, but his effort smashes the crossbar. What an introduction that would have been!

Levante have made a really bright start to this second period, with Ivan Lopez again involved as he delivers a dangerous cross towards the far post, but there are no takers and Valencia clear.

Levante have arguably been the better side this evening in terms of attacking football, but they trail 2-0, which is an indication of the difference in quality where it really matters - the forward areas.

Valencia have not really threatened in this second period as Levante continue to play the better football, but the only statistic that matters sees the home side lead 2-0. Both sides have players warming up on the sidelines and changes will surely occur over the next 15 minutes or so here.

The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of minutes following a number of late challenges. Levante have the chance to deliver from a deep position, but the free kick from Jose Mari is disappointing and Valencia have a goal kick. Can Levante find a goal here?

Half-chance for Valencia as Gomes finds space outside the box before delivering a super cross towards Feghouli, but Morales wins the first header before Marino comes to collect. It is an open game at the moment, but neither side has come close to scoring since Ivan Lopez rattled the woodwork.

Ivan Lopez is playing like Ronaldinho at the moment as the Levante defender shows excellent feet before finding El Zhar, who delivers towards the far post, but Mustafi is on hand to head behind.

SUB! Levante make their second change as Uche replaces El Zhar.

Half-chance for the home side as Cancelo delivers a super cross from the right, but Ramis is down to clear ahead of Alcacer, who looked the favourite. Still 2-0 to the hosts with one hour played here.

Feghouli comes to life in a wide position as he beats his full-back before delivering, but once again Ramis is on hand to make the block. The home side are really on top at this stage of the match.

BOOKING! Simao (Levante) is booked for a poor challenge on Parejo.

Valencia fancy a third goal here as they continue to pass and probe in the final third, but it is still delicately poised with 64 minutes on the clock. Both teams are contributing to the entertainment.

Half-chance for the home side as Mustafi strikes one towards goal, but Marino makes the save.

SAVE! Oh my word! It is a stunning save from Alves as the Valencia goalkeeper keeps out a powerful effort from Jose Mari. That was heading into the top corner from the Spanish midfielder!

SUBS! Valencia make a double change as De Paul and Barragan replace Gomes and Feghouli.

You just get the feeling that there still might be something in this for Levante. One goal for the visitors at this stage would set up a very nervy final 20 minutes or so. Still 2-0 to the hosts.

Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last five minutes or so, but Valencia are looking the most likely as they force two corners in quick succession. Just a reminder that three points for Valencia, which they have at the moment, will move them just one point off third position.

Ivan Lopez again tries his luck for Levante after finding space outside the box, but his effort was always moving high of the crossbar. The defender has been his side's biggest threat since entering!

CHANCE! Excellent chance for the home side to score a third as Alcacer races into the box, but his effort smashes the side netting. That might well be his final piece of action this evening...

... SUB! Indeed it is as Negredo replaces Alcacer in Valencia's final change.

SUB! Levante also make their third change as Garcia replaces Ivanschitz.

Little under 15 minutes of football remaining and in truth, not too much is happening at the moment in terms of chances. Levante are still threatening, but it keeps breaking down with that final pass.

BOOKING! Negredo (Valencia) is booked following an aerial challenge with Simao.

The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments as the late challenges continue to arrive. It has all become a little bit scrappy at both ends of the field.

Good spell of possession for Levante as they pass and probe outside the Valencia box, but they just cannot fashion a shooting chance and Valencia manage to clear the danger. Overall, there has not been that much between these two teams, but Valencia have always looked comfortable defensively.

Cancelo shows wonderful feet inside the Levante box before curling one towards the bottom corner, but his effort is blocked by Simao. Both Valencia full-backs have played very well this evening.

The play is flowing from end-to-end at the moment, but neither side is fashioning a shooting chance, which is not a problem for Valencia at this stage, but it is for Levante. Still 2-0 to the hosts here.

Half-chance for Negredo as Cancelo races down the left for the home side before delivering towards the striker, but his header lacked power and Levante manage to clear. Not long left here.

Cancelo is having a super game for Valencia this evening and the full-back's pace once again takes him past the Levante defence, but he was just offside. Down the other end, Levante force a free kick just outside the box following a late challenge from Barragan. Opportunity for the visitors...

... Garcia takes the free kick, but his effort is straight into the wall.

The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes at the Mestalla.

Levante have played pretty well this evening, but Valencia have been comfortable for long spells and they are closing in on another home three points. Levante, meanwhile, will remain in 18th spot.

Half-chance for the home side as Fuego curls one from outside the box, but it is a fairly comfortable save for the goalkeeper as the score remains 2-0. Not long remaining at the Mestalla.

SAVE! Another wonderful save from the Valencia goalkeeper as he keeps out a curling effort from Morales. Alves has made two really smart stops in this second period.

Valencia have their third of the evening and it is a much-needed goal for Negredo, who collects on the edge of the box before volleying into the top corner. Super hit from the Spanish forward!

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Valencia running out 3-0 winners courtesy of goals from Alcacer, Feghouli and Negredo. Los Che are now just one point off third-place Atletico Madrid. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!