Soccer Football - AFC Bournemouth vs Valencia - Pre Season Friendly - Bournemouth, Britain - July 30, 2017 Valencia coach Marcelino Garcia Toral Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
BARCELONA (Reuters) - Valencia have gone from being the laughing stock of La Liga a year ago to becoming the main challengers to Barcelona in the title race and face the biggest test of their credentials when they host Ernesto Valverde's leaders on Sunday.
Valencia, the six times Liga champions who last lifted the title in 2004 under Rafael Benitez, are on a club record run of eight straight wins and another victory in Sunday's top-of-the-table clash would put them within a point of Barcelona.
