Evening all! Our final Spanish match of the evening comes from the Mestalla as Valencia welcome financially-troubled Malaga. The home side just missed out on fourth spot last season, while Malaga, who had also been in the race for the top four for large segments of the campaign, eventually had to settle for sixth position.

In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Valencia have just shaded it with three wins from the last five games. Valencia thumped Malaga 5-1 in the corresponding fixture last season, but Malaga were 4-0 winners when the two sides met in their stadium in November. There are a few tasty matches this weekend, but this could well be the most fascinating.

TEAMS:

VALENCIA: Alves; Pereira, Costa, Rami, Fuego; Banega, Michel, Bernat, Cartabia; Postiga, Viera

MALAGA: Caballero; Angeleri, Antunes, Gamez, Chen; Tissone, Duda, Morales, Darder; Santa Cruz, Olinga

So there we have it. Helder Postiga makes his debut in attack for the home side, while there is also a place in the middle of midfield for Michel. Jonathan Viera also starts, but Sergio Canales is on the bench. Malaga, meanwhile, hand starts to Sergi Darder, Roque Santa Cruz and Fabrice Olinga, who is just 17 years of age.

Right, the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Just about time for my pre-match prediction. Both sides are under new management this season and while each has lost key players, on paper, Valencia look the stronger this evening. I am backing a home win for Dukic in his first game in charge. The home side get the action underway on this mild evening in Spain.

Valencia were not a one-man team last season, far from it, but it is difficult to underestimate what the sale of Roberto Soldado to Tottenham Hotspur has done to their prospects in the new campaign. The Spanish international struck 24 times in the league last season, with his goals one of the main reasons why the club remained in the hunt for the top four. It is vital that they get their season underway with three points this evening.

Good tempo to the opening stages of this match with both sides prepared to keep hold of the ball and wait for that elusive pass in the final third. A half-chance arrives for the home side as Jonathan Viera delivers a low cross into the box, but Chen is across to make the clearance. Not too much from the away side as an attacking threat thus far.

CHANCE! Clearest opportunity of the match thus far comes to Angeleri as the Argentine meets a corner from Duda, but he can only head his effort wide of the target. Well, that would have silenced the atmosphere in this stadium. Valencia attempt to break down the other end with Postiga, but the Portuguese is just caught dwelling on the ball. Still goalless with six minutes on the clock.

Malaga are also under new management this season with former Real Madrid boss Bernd Schuster replacing Manuel Pellegrini at the club this summer. Despite finishing sixth last season, they did not qualify for the Europa League with their ban from European competition still standing.

Malaga have also been forced to part with key personnel this summer with the likes of Isco, Jeremy Toulalan, Joaquin and Julio Baptista all allowed to seek pastures new. That will undoubtedly place more pressure on the likes of Eliseu Pereira, Roque Santa Cruz – who joined on a free transfer from Manchester City – and talented midfielder Ignacio Camacho, who is on the bench this evening.

Half-chance for the home side as Postiga collects a through pass from Bernat before attempting to find the bottom corner, but Antunes is across to make the challenge. The resulting corner is delivered onto the head of Rami, but the Frenchman clears the crossbar with his effort. Bright opening 12 minutes of football at the Mestalla, but the score remains level at 0-0.

Without sounding like a broken record, it is incredible just how different these two sides are from last season. Not just in terms of managers and players, but in terms of style. Valencia have a strong penalty shout as Viera hits the deck under a challenge from Chen, but the referee is not interested, much to the frustration of the home supporters.

CHANCE! Malaga's best chance of the evening comes to Morales as the midfielder meets a header from Santa Cruz, but Rami just manages to block his goal-bound effort. Neither side has really taken control of the possession thus far, but both have had good opportunities. Meanwhile, Michel picks up the first yellow of the match for a late challenge on Darder.

Slightly scrappy period of the match in the last couple of moments with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. You just get the feeling that the first goal could be all-important in this type of match. The home supporters would get very nervous if their side fell behind there is no question about that. Perfect conditions for football it must be said on this mild evening in Spain.

It must be said that it is a surprise to see the likes of Feghouli and Guardado left on the Valencia bench this evening, while on-loan Chelsea midfielder Oriol Romeu is also in reserve. The Malaga bench also boasts a number of first-team players in the shape of Camacho, Fernandez, Sergio Sanchez and Portillo.

CHANCE! How has he not scored? Wonderful opportunity for Rami to send Valencia into the lead as the French defender meets a corner from Bernat, but he can only plant his header high and wide of the crossbar. That could and should have been the opener with 23 minutes on the clock.

It's really good work from Olinga as the teenager creates space on the edge of the box before finding Morales, but his effort is straight into the arms of Alves, who has been the busier of the two goalkeepers. Cartabia whips a dangerous cross into the Malaga box moments later, but Antunes is on hand to clear at the far post.

Again Banega is the catalyst for the home side as he finds a pocket of space on the edge of the box before attempting to slide a pass towards Viera, but Chen fells the Argentine. The resulting free kick is taken by the midfielder, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Little over 15 minutes of the half remaining.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of losing possession too readily in the final third. Duda has the chance to cause a problem from a free kick outside the Valencia box, but he fires it straight into the stands. Still goalless at the Mestalla with 29 minutes on the clock.

Good possession from the home side in the last few minutes with Banega and Bernat enjoying plenty of the ball in the final third, but the pair have been unable to find the run of Postiga thus far. There is no question that the midfielders will have to adapt to a new striker this season. In terms of style, Soldado and Postiga are like chalk and cheese.

Plenty of noise from the away supporters as we approach the latter stages of the first period, but the tempo of the game has just dropped with both sides struggling for invention in the final third. That has been the story thus far - plenty of neat and tidy possession, but not too much where it really matters.

Half-chance for Viera as the Spaniard embarks on a mazy run before striking an effort towards the bottom corner, but it was always moving wide of the post. Valencia might have lost their best player this summer, but they will still be expected to challenge for the top four, which places huge pressure on Dukic.

Penalty shout for Malaga as Duda falls in the box under a challenge from Ricardo Costa, but once more the referee is not interested. I have seen them given that is for certain. It has been such a tight match that the opener could arrive from either a mistake or a moment of magic. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining.

Nervy moment in the Malaga box for Chen as the centre-back is forced to deal with a cross from Viera, but the number 23 just manages to clear the danger under pressure from Postiga, who has been extremely isolated at times in this first period. Both managers will be content, rather than pleased with what they have seen in the opening 41 minutes of football.

It's good work from Darder as the former Malaga B midfielder takes matters into his own hands by driving into the opposing box, but Alves just manages to clear at the vital moment. Chen is in trouble down the other end moments later as the 19-year-old fells Michel, picking up a card for his troubles. Little over two minutes of the half remaining.

Bright end to the half from Malaga's teenage winger Olinga, who has twice won free kicks in dangerous positions outside the box. However, Duda's delivery lets him down on each occasion. A half-chance arrives for Angeleri moments later, but somehow he doesn't make contact with a Morales cross some five yards from goal.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. Both teams have had their moments in the final third, but neither has been able to make the breakthrough. Let's hope that we will see more opportunities in the second 45 minutes of action.

STATISTICS: Valencia have had three attempts in the opening period, while Malaga have had four. However, the away side have tested the opposing goalkeeper on two separate occasions, while Valencia have not managed an effort on target. There has also been three yellow cards awarded with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges.

BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on the bench in the shape of Feghouli, Guardado and Canales, while on-loan Chelsea midfielder Romeu is also in reserve. Malaga, meanwhile, have the likes of Portillo, Fernandez and Camacho on their bench. I suspect we will see some changes in the early stages of the second period.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Neither manager has made any changes, which is not a surprise at this stage of proceedings. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be the decider due to the closeness of what we have seen thus far. Right, the away side get the action underway.

Bright start to the second period from the home side as Viera darts past two defenders before driving a low cross into the box, it falls to Michel some 40 yards from goal, but Antunes fells the Spaniard, picking up a yellow card for his troubles. However, the set piece is delivered straight into the arms of Caballero.

Let me just take this moment to tell you what we have to come tomorrow in terms of Spanish football. Be sure to join us from 5.30pm as Barcelona get their season underway against Levante, before Real Madrid host Real Betis. Atletico Madrid complete the night's events with a trip to Sevilla. I can assure you that you will not want to miss it.

Again Valencia attempt to force the issue inside the opposing penalty box as Viera finds Cartabia before chipping a cross towards Postiga, but the former Real Zaragoza striker just cannot collect under pressure from Chen, who has been impressive on his debut for Malaga this evening. Still goalless with 52 minutes on the clock.

Just a reminder that there are still more than two weeks of the transfer window remaining. It would be a surprise if both of these teams did not look to bolster their squad in that time. Valencia, as mentioned, will be expected to push for the top four, but I suspect the Malaga supporters would be content with a top-eight finish considering the players they have lost this summer.

Penalty shout for the home side as Pereira drives into the box before seemingly losing his footing under a challenge from Antunes, but once more the referee is simply not interested. I would be surprised if both managers did not look to their bench in the next five minutes or so. The chances have just dried up in the second period.

Good spell of pressure from the away side in the last couple of moments with Duda twice delivering dangerous corners into the box in quick succession. However, the likes of Rami and Costa have been aerially dominant for Valencia thus far. Still goalless between these two La Liga rivals with around 30 minutes of football remaining at the Mestalla.

Valencia have just started to increase the tempo in the last couple of moments with their midfield trio enjoying more of the possession. However, without Soldado, you just wonder where the goals are going to come from. As impressive as Postiga was for Zaragoza last season, is he the type of player that will pop up to score the winner? Well, he probably will now I have said that.

The half-chance does arrive for Postiga as the experienced Portuguese is found by Viera in the box, but he just loses his composure at the final moment, sliding his effort wide of the target. The home side have certainly started to boss proceedings, however, with Malaga's threat mainly coming on the counter with the pace of Olinga.

We are entering that stage where both managers will surely be looking to their bench for inspiration. In truth, it has not been a brilliant match between these two sides, but there is more than enough time for someone to make themselves a hero. Little over 25 minutes of action remaining at the Mestalla.

Valencia have the lead with 64 minutes on the clock as Costa pounces onto a loose ball in the box before sliding into the back of the net from close range. Bit of a horror moment for Caballero, who came and flapped at a cross. Valencia deservedly take the lead at the Mestalla.

First Valencia change of the match is a positive one as Cartabia is replaced by Feghouli. Malaga just cannot get into the match at the moment with the home side utterly dominating possession of the ball. Have they got enough to get themselves back into the match? They have options on the bench that is for certain.

Suddenly the home supporters have found their voices with the noise erupting around this stadium. However, the Malaga faithful continue to back their team from the small pocket behind Alves's goal. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining at the Mestalla. You have to think that there are still more opportunities for both sides.

Double change for the away side as Anderson and Samuel replace Duda and Morales. In truth, Malaga have not done enough in the final third to deserve to be on terms at this stage of the match, but there is time for that to change. They need the likes of Santa Cruz to provide some inspiration in the penalty area.

Real battle developing in the middle of the park with the referee forced to intervene following a number of tasty challenges. However, in fairness, it has not been that type of match, both sides have come to play football in the right way. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining at the Mestalla. Valencia still lead from that Costa strike after 64 minutes.

Wonderful scenes in the crowd at the moment with the home supporters in full voice. When it is going right at the Mestalla, it really is a wonderful place to play football. Malaga have just stepped up their tempo in the last few moments, but you just question where their goals are going to come from - not just this evening, but all season.

Viera is again involved for the home side as the Spanish midfielder darts beyond two defenders before lining up an effort on goal, but Gamez is across to clear at the vital moment. The centre-back immediately releases Olinga, who has been full of pace this evening, but he is just crowded out by Costa, whose goal continues to separate the two sides with 12 minutes of normal time remaining.

Olinga is the latest player to enter the book as the Malaga winger fells Bernat outside the penalty area. The resulting free kick presents Banega with the chance to test Caballero, but once more his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Second change for Valencia moments later as Guardado replaces Bernat.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments with Valencia closing off the counter-attack threat from the away side. Anderson has a half-chance outside the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar, before Fernandez enters the field in place of Darder, who has been impressive on his debut for Malaga.

Again it's really bright work from Anderson as the substitute drives into the heart of the Valencia defence, but Costa is across to clear at the vital moment. There is no question that the changes have made an impact, but it might be a case of too little too late. Little over five minutes of football remaining.

Anderson is again involved as he strikes an effort from outside the box, but it deflects behind for a corner. The Ivorian whips a dangerous ball towards Antunes, but Alves comes a long way to claim. They are getting closer, but time is not on their side. Do they deserve a point? Not really truth be told.

Final change for the home side as Sergio Canales replaces Banega, who has just struggled to influence proceedings in the second period. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes as Angeleri makes another fine challenge to deny Postiga at the near post.

More frustration for Postiga as the Portuguese international is ruled offside after good work from Costa. It has not been the prettiest of performances from the home side, but they are just about 30 seconds away from claiming all three points on the opening weekend of the season. Malaga will hope that their home form contributes to a successful campaign.

So there we have it. Costa's second-half strike is enough to secure all three points for Valencia in their first match of the new season. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join me from 5.30pm tomorrow as Barcelona get their season underway against Levante. Good evening!