Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's La Liga match between Valencia and champions Atletico Madrid. Both sides have made an unbeaten start to the campaign and would go top with a victory, so there is plenty to play for at the Mestalla today. Let's start with a look at our hosts...

It has been a superb start to the campaign for Valencia, who come into this match second in the table behind only Barcelona. The on-field success will come as welcome relief following the club's recent off-field troubles, and they will be hoping to continue their unbeaten start for as long as possible. Challenging the big three for the title may be beyond their reach for now, but they have certainly put themselves in a good early position in the race for fourth place.

Nuno's side have dropped point on just two occasions this season, winning four and drawing twice in their six outings. One of those draws came last weekend, when Real Sociedad picked up a point at home. They took the lead in that match, so Nuno may have been a little annoyed that they were unable to claim all three points, but a share of the spoils at Sociedad is by no means a bad result.

A big reason for their success this season has been an impressive defensive effort that has seen them concede just three goals in their six matches so far. Only Barcelona - who are yet to let in a single goal - have a better record in the division, while Barcelona and Real Madrid are also the only teams to have scored more than Valencia's 14 goals this season.

They have been in particularly good form at home, so Nuno will be happy to get his side back to the Mestalla this afternoon. They have a 100% record in front of their own fans this season, and each of their victories have been pretty comfortable. They have scored three goals in each of their three outings, conceding just one overall. They have now won each of their last five home matches, since Atletico last came to town and won 1-0 in April.

As for Atletico, they made an iffy start to the season but are still unbeaten and are finally starting to find their best form again. Diego Simeone's side stunned everyone by breaking the duopoly of Spanish football last season, claiming the title ahead of Barcelona and Real Madrid and almost making it a memorable double by reaching the final of the Champions League. Simeone really has worked wonders at the club, and he could see his side got top of the table - temporarily at least - with another three points today.

Simeone's effect on the team can be seen most clearly by the difference in their performance since he returned to the touchline following his ban. Atletico have improved with their general spurring them on from the sidelines, and come into today's match having cruised to a very impressive 4-0 victory over Sevilla last Saturday. They also beat Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday, so another win here would cap off an excellent week for the club.

That victory over Juventus was especially important for Atletico considering they lost their first outing in the competition. Olympiacos picked up a surprise 3-2 victory - a result which remains Atletico's only defeat of the season in all competitions. Solely looking at the league, Simeone's side are now without a loss in eight games and have only been beaten once in their last 19.

Like Valencia, their defence has been quite impressive so far this season, with just four goals conceded in their six league outings. Only today's opponents and Barcelona can beat that, while their tally of 11 goals for is also not too shabby. The goals have been spread around the team as well, helping to make up for the loss of Diego Costa in the summer.

Atletico may have lost to Olympiacos in Greece, but on the whole they have been impressive on their travels this season. They have won two and drawn one of their away league matches, including victory over bitter rivals Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. Stretching back to last season, they have now lost just one of their last 10 away games in the league, winning seven in that time.

TEAM NEWS: We have 10 minutes until kickoff at the Mestalla, so it's time for some team news. The only change for Valencia sees Piatti come in for Carles Gil, who is benched despite scoring against Sociedad last weekend. Atletico, meanwhile, welcome Griezmann back into the starting lineup, while Gamez and Siqueira are the two other changes from the side that beat Juventus in midweek. Full teams for both sides coming right up...

VALENCIA STARTING XI: Alves; Barragan, Mustafi, Otamendi, Gaya; Parejo, Fuego, Gomes, Piatti, Alcacer, Rodrigo

VALENCIA SUBS: Cancelo, Vezo, Augusto, Orban, Feghouli, Yoel, De Paul, Gil

ATLETICO STARTING XI: Moya; Gamez, Miranda, Godin, Siqueira; Tiago, Gabi, Koke, Griezmann, Turan; Mandzukic

ATLETICO SUBS: Garcia, Jimenez, Oblak, Saul, Juanfran, Cerci, Gimenez

PREDICTION: So, there are the teams, it's now time for a prediction! This is a tough one to call given both sides' good form coming into the match. Valencia will not be easy pickings for the champions this afternoon and will be confident that they can come away with something from this game. Atletico are starting to hit good form, but for me this one is still very tight. I'll go for a 1-1 draw.

The players are out and we're just about ready to go in this top-of-the-table clash! This is a huge match for both sides, even at this stage of the season, and I am expecting an exciting game of football today.

KICKOFF: Atletico get us underway at the Mestalla as they look to continue their unbeaten start to the campaign and go top. Can they do it or will Valencia displace Barcelona at the top instead?

Solid start to the match from both sides here as they look to ease their way into the game in the opening exchanges. No early chances just yet, but this one has started at a decent tempo.

Gabi is unfortunate to be penalised for handball in midfield as the ball is smashed at him from very close range.

Oh my word, what a horror moment for Miranda! A nothing ball arrives in the box from deep, which Moya comes out to claim. He is in line to made a comfortable catch, but Miranda arrives in front of him and puts a header past his own keeper. What on earth is he doing there?!

Incredible! Valencia get a second goal in as many minutes to leave Atletico reeling. Again it is poor defending, but credit must also go to Andre Gomes, who dances his way past a couple of challenges and into the box. He then drills a powerful effort in at the near post to give his side a two-goal lead inside 10 minutes.

What an incredible start for Valencia that is. They are two goals up against the champions inside 10 minutes, and are looking dangerous every time they come forward right now. Meanwhile, the Valencia fans pay tribute to club legend Mario Kempes in the 10th minute after the Argentine World Cup winner underwent a serious operation recently. Great to see that.

Is there any way back for the champions now? They almost responded immediately after the opening goal, but then they were hit by a second in quick succession. They have been uncharacteristically poor at the back so far, and Simeone will be worried right now.

Things just get better and better for Valencia! It is yet more terrible defending from the visitors as they failed to keep track of Otamendi at a corner. The ball arrives in the box and the defender attacks it really well, leaping higher than everyone else to plant a header home. This is remarkable.

Simeone must be wondering what on earth is going wrong here. His side simply haven't turned up to the races so far, and Valencia have taken full advantage. We are only 15 minutes in, but this one may already be over.

Valencia push forward for a fourth, but Gomes fails to add to his personal tally with a wild shot from outside the box. The ball dropped to him around 25 yards from goal, but his effort was a long, long way over the top.

Simeone must be thinking about damage limitation right now. His side need to get settled into this match and improve defensively before they can begin to think of overturning this deficit as they have been dreadful at the back so far.

Important interception from Barragan as he nods a dangerous Koke delivery over the crossbar for a corner. The set piece is delayed due to a minor scuffle in the area, and when it finally does arrive Valencia manage to scramble it away.

CLOSE! A decent opening for the visitors as a ball into the box is flicked on by Mandzukic towards the back post. Alves is in no man's land having initially come for it and then changed his mind, but Mandzukic's effort goes a yard or so past the post.

This is more like it from the champions. They are beginning to threaten more in the final third right now and finally have Valencia on the back post. The one positive from that terrible start is that they still have plenty of time to turn things around here, and a goal soon would give them a decent chance of doing that.

Atletico are starting to put a number of deliveries into the area for Mandzukic to attack, and the striker is causing problems in there. So far the defence has just about managed to deal with everything, but it does look like a route that could bring some joy for the visitors.

Valencia are content to just keep the ball right now. They are not trying to force the issue, and they have no need to following that superb start. Atletico have been steadily improving in the last 10 minutes or so, so Valencia are wisely now trying to take the sting out of the game.

Atletico have a goal back! Tiago is teed up from around 25 yards out and unleashes a superb volley towards the far post. Alves is at full stretch to keep it out, but he parries it straight to Mandzukic, who reacts to nod the rebound home. This one may not be over after all! That is exactly what Atletico needed.

This one is set up very nicely right now. With an hour left Atletico still need two goals to restore parity, but you wouldn't bet against them doing it here. They are looking capable of scoring at seem to have also tightened up at the back as well.

Valencia have given a few careless free kicks away in dangerous crossing positions here and, with the likes of Mandzukic and Godin in there, they can't afford to do that too much. Koke's deliveries have been good so far, so I wouldn't be surprised to see a goal from a set piece this afternoon.

The hosts have responded quite well to that Atletico goal. They know that they are still in control of this one and as long as they don't do anything stupid then they should be able to hold on to a two-goal lead. They are just taking the sting out of things right now.

Mandzukic and Otamendi clash inside the box, and neither player is very happy with the other. They bump into each other and square up, but it is soon calmed down and the referee opts not to go to his book.

Griezmann looks to provide something spectacular to pull another goal back for his side, but this isn't his best effort. He goes for goal from around 30 yards out, but drags a tame effort a long way wide.

Griezmann is again involved here as he attacks a Gamez cross at the front post. He is inches away from getting a connection that would surely take it in, but as it is the ball is just too high for him and Alves is able to collect it.

Alcacer almost nicks the ball off Gabi in a dangerous area, but the Atletico man is spared by the referee's whistle. Alcacer would have been through on goal there had the ref not called him back.

Atletico are starting to crank up the pressure on the Valencia defence right now, and the hosts will be desperate to hold on until the break. Alves has only really been tested once today - in the build-up to the goal - but Atletico are looking increasingly dangerous.

What a huge moment that could prove to be in this match. Valencia are bemused by the referee's decision to award a penalty as the ball bounces up a grazes the arm of Gaya inside the box. It is a very harsh one, and the home side surround the referee in protest. Gomes earns a booking for his complaints, but Valencia are spared in the end as Siqueira misses the spot kick! Alves guesses the right way, diving low to his right to make the stop.

Well, you won't see too many halves with as much action as that one. Valencia go into the break leading Atletico Madrid 3-1 following a magnificent opening 13 minutes that saw them race into a three-goal lead. Atletico improved and pulled a goal back, but it could have been even better for the visitors had they scored a penalty in the last minute of the first half. Great entertainment here at the Mestalla.

Atletico were their own worst enemy at the start of the match, and that was summed up in the opening goal as Miranda nodded past his own keeper when trying to deal with a nothing ball forward. It really was a terrible mistake from the defender, who should have simply left it for Moya to make a routine save. Gomes then danced through the defence and fired a shot past Moya at his near post shortly afterwards, while the 13-minute blitz was completed courtesy of an Otamendi header. Atletico's goal cam through Mandzukic, who nodded home a rebound after Alves had saved Tiago's initial effort.

The visitors were also awarded a controversial penalty right at the end of the half as the ball bounced up to strike Gaya on the arm inside the box. Siqueira stepped up for Atletico, but Alves guessed the right way and made a fairly comfortable stop in the end. Had that gone in, Atletico would have really fancied their chances of still coming away with something from this match, but now they have a mountain to climb in the second half.

Atletico were in control of the match for the final half an hour of that opening 45 minutes, but it was the first quarter of an hour that has proved costly so far. Simeone will still believe that a draw is possible should his team perform as they did towards the latter stages of that half, although for all their possession they haven't really threatened Alves often enough.

Valencia, meanwhile, will know that they are still in control of this match as things stand. They came under increasing pressure as that half wore on and they can expect more of the same in this second half, but Nuno will be imploring his side to hold out. Surely they can't throw away a three-goal lead?

KICKOFF: Valencia get us back underway for this second half as they look to hold on to their advantage from that superb opening 45 minutes. More of the same, please!

This has been a decent start to the half from Valencia. They have so far prevented Atletico from really piling on the pressure and making a quick start to the half, ensuring that they don't build an early momentum.

Again Valencia give away a free kick in a dangerous crossing position, but they are able to clear this one at the front post. It comes out to Gabi, but his ambitious effort is a long way off target. The hosts can't afford to keep giving away free kicks in those positions, though.

SAVE! Atletico come forward with some nice play down the right flank before Koke cuts inside and threads a pass to Mandzukic. The striker overcomes a slip to latch on to the pass before firing a low 20-yard effort towards the bottom corner that the keeper saves.

This pitch has caused the players a few problems already this afternoon, with the turf cutting up under foot. Mandzukic slipped just then due to the pitch, and he isn't the first one today. The Croat appears to have tweaked something while slipping there as well, but he should be fine to continue.

The referee has been quite lenient with his cards so far this afternoon. There have been a couple of occasions where he could have brandished a yellow, but on the whole he has kept his cards in his pocket so far.

YELLOW CARD! Just as I say that, Parejo goes into the book for a late challenge on Tiago. He can have no complaints with that one, he arrived very late and caught the Atletico midfielder.

Good play from Moya as he acts as a sweeper keeper to halt a Valencia counter. The hosts had broken forward after the free kick was wasted, and a ball from the right wing needed to be stopped by the Atletico keeper.

Hint of a chance again for Valencia as Piatti slides a very dangerous low ball in towards the front post. Alcacer attacks it, but is just too short to connect at the front post as Moya collects.

VALENCIA SUB: That cross is Piatti's last action as he makes way to be replaced by Orban.

SHOT! Atletico make ground down the left wing before putting the ball into the box, but it picks out a white shirt and is partially cleared. It falls to Tiago on the edge of the area, but his strike is tame and trickles narrowly wide.

Atletico have another free kick in a good position, but once more they waste it. Griezmann lines it up from around 25 yards out, but he blazes his strike a long way over the top.

ATLETICO SUB: Simeone turns to Alessio Cerci in an attempt to get another goal back here. The attacker replaces Griezmann for the final 25 minutes or so.

This second half hasn't quite lived up to the first, it must be said. Valencia have done a good job of preventing Atletico from building any sort of momentum so far, while the referee has been more involved than he may have wanted.

YELLOW CARD! Cerci goes into the book for a foul when pressing a defender high up the pitch. That is quite a harsh one for the sub.

ATLETICO SUB: Arda Turan has been fairly anonymous this afternoon, and he makes way here to be replaced by Raul Jimenez.

VALENCIA SUB: The hosts respond with a change of their own as Gomes makes way to be replaced by Filipe Augusto for the final 20 minutes.

ATLETICO SUB: A third and final change for the visitors as Raul Garcia enters the fray, replacing Mandzukic.

YELLOW CARD! Fuego goes into the book for Valencia having hauled Siqueira down in a foot race down the wing. It looked like six of one and half a dozen of the other there, so Fuego can justifiably feel a bit hard done by.

VALENCIA SUB: The hosts make their third and final change as Sofiane Feghouli trots on in place of Paco Alcacer.

Valencia break quickly upfield, and Feghouli is busting a gut to get in support of his teammates through the middle. Gaya carries the ball down the left flank and looks for the sub with a cross, but it is just too high and a good chance goes begging.

This has been a very professional job from Valencia in this second half. Atletico would have fancied their chances of getting back into the game following their improvement in the first half, but the hosts have given Diego Simeone's side nothing.

Atletico are beginning to see the lion's share of possession now, but Valencia won't be too worried about that. They are looking fairly comfortable right now, and they have just eight more minutes to hang on to their two-goal lead.

This has been quite a niggly game, particularly in the second half. There have been a number of minor fouls that have drawn reactions from players from both sides, and the referee has been forced to step in on a couple of occasions.

An Atletico corner is flicked on in the middle of the box, and Raul Garcia almost makes something of it at the back post. However, it is just too far in front of him and he can only slice his kick harmlessly out of play.

Valencia are just a few minutes away from going top of La Liga now, and it doesn't look like Atletico Madrid will be able to pull off something special in that time. A goal now would make for a very interesting finish, but Alves has not really been tested in this second half.

The fourth official indicates a minimum of four minutes added time at the end of this match.

From joy to despair in a matter of seconds for Cerci. He thinks that he has pulled a goal back for Atletico as the ball loops over the defence, where he is waiting to sweep it home. However, his celebrations are cut short due to a handball when he was controlling the ball and, as a result, the referee shows him a second yellow card. He did handle it, but that is a harsh second yellow.

YELLOW CARD! Gaya is the latest player to go into the book for a foul on the wing that has also given Atletico a free kick in a good crossing position.

The referee brings an end to proceedings at the Mestalla, and it is a huge three points for Valencia as they go top of the table. They raced into a three-goal lead inside 13 minutes, and ultimately that was enough to inflict a first league defeat of the season on Atletico. Mandzukic did pull a goal back for the visitors, but it was a miserable afternoon for them as they also missed a penalty and had a man sent off.

Right, that is all we have time for today! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was an entertaining top-of-the-table clash. Be sure to stick around for our match report, while analysis and ratings are also to follow. Barcelona kick off in just over five minutes, and you can follow that game live with us too. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!