Valencia v Schalke: 10 Reasons La Liga Will Beat the Bundesliga

The Champions League Round of 16 is drawing closer and closer.

In less two weeks, the first matches will kick off, one of them being Valencia vs Schalke 04.

Although it isn't one of the more highly anticipated matches, it will be a deadly matchup between La Liga and the Bundesliga and will turn out to be on of the closest and perhaps most entertaining ties of the round.

While many have favored Bundesliga side Schalke, Valencia are a very strong team and Los Che have everything it takes to beat Felix Magath's side.

Raul and Klass Jun Huntelaar are two very talented strikers on Schalke's side.

Paired with Jose Manuel Jurado and Jefferson Farfan, they've been reaking havoc for opposition defenses.

However, Valencia too possess quality strikers in Aritz Aduriz and Roberto Soldado.

The two have a combined seven goals in the Champion's League group stage, with five goals coming from Soldado alone.

Although they aren't world class, they've proved to be very effective for Valencia and paired with a strong midfield and supporting attackers, boast perhaps one of the best attacking forces in the Champion's League.

If Valencia's strikers are good, then their supporting attackers are absolutley brilliant!

Two out of the trio of Joaquin, Pablo Hernandez, and Mata usually start on the wings, with Mata also able to play just behind the striker.

They provide the squad with a considerable amount of depth and make up for most of Valencia's attacking opportunities.

Their link up play with the strikers and the fact that all three have a strong eye for goal is perhaps the squad's biggest reason for success.

While Schalke can match Valencia's talented front line, there's no way they could have a better midfield.

The passing range of Tino Costa and Ever Banega paired with the defensive minds of players such as Mehmet Topal, Hedwiges Maduro, and vetern David Albelda will give Los Che a clear cut advantage in the middle of the park.

This domination could turn out to be the key factor in the Champion's League clash and very well may decide who makes it through.

Although Valencia's central defense can be shaky at times, it has proven itself to be very effective this season.

Letting by just four goals in the Champions League group stages and 21 in 24 domestic appearances, it is usually filled by the pair of David Navarro and Ricardo Costa, who haven't formed quite a convincing partnership.

Maduro and Angel Dealbert can also play in the role, and while containing the likes of Raul and Huntelaar will prove difficult, the team that held Manchester United will likely be up to the challenge.

In addition to a strong central defense, Valencia also pride themselves in extremely talented full backs.

Miguel Brito usually starts at right with Jeremy Mathieu on the left.

They can both send in mean crosses and become heavily involved in attacking, but are both competent defenders as well.

Unfortunately, Miguel may be arrested for a weapons charge, which would likely force Unai Emery to play the less effective but still talented Bruno Saltor.

Schalke 04 definitely have one of the world's best goalkeepers in Manuel Neuer, but that takes nothing away from the fact that Valencia have a number of solid shot stoppers behind their own bars.

First choice Cesar Sanchez will likely rejoin the squad after returning from knee injury, and has conceded only two goals in four appearances in this season's Champions League.

Second choice keeper Miguel Angel Moya will also be an option, but will likely sit out due to a somewhat poor reputation.

And finally, Vicente Guaita, the third goalkeeper, is actually most likely to start, due to his recently strong performances, including a great game against Manchester United at Old Trafford, in which he made a number of great saves and helped Valencia achieve a 1-1 draw.

In addition to an already stacked first team, Valencia have loads of talent of their bench.

With keepers Moya and Guaita usually on the bench, as well as the defensive reinforcements of Dealbert and Saltor, Valencia is pretty tight at the back.

As for midfield, Topal and Maduro are usually lower in the defensive midfielder pecking order, with Jordi Alba and Vicente ready to play out wide. 

Alejandro Dominguez, the highly rated attacking midfielder has also come off the bench and provided a creative spark on a number of occasions.

Additionally, Valencia have very talented B team players who are always willing to play such as Isco and Paco Alcacer.

It might be too early to tell, but Valencia's new Brazilian striker Jonas Goncalves could turn out to be the decisive factor in their Champions League matchup with Schalke.

Although he has no experience in European competition, the striker thrived in Brazil and will likely bring a new dimension to Valencia's attack.

Brought in during the January transfer window for a low fee of €1.25 million, he has compared his playing style to Robinho's saying, "I'm a mobile player, creative, like to control the ball, make passes, and don't play with my back to goal,"

However, he seems more of an out and out striker, something that Valencia have been missing since the departure of David Villa, and if Los Che are lucky, Jonas is the man to fill the void!

Given Valencia's talented squad, they love to play a technical and vibrant style of football.

This will likely limit any time Schalke get on the ball and hopefully ensure no goals from their very dangerous front three.

Valencia's dominance in the middle of the park will also  turn out to be the key factor, and their ability to attack from all sides can reek havoc for Schalke's resilient defence.

Form going into the match will prove key in Valencia's path to the next round.

In their last six matches they have pulled out four wins, as compared to Schalke's one.  

In addition, the first leg of the series will be played in Spain, and while this could turn out to be a disadvantage later on, Valencia's strong home form and Schalke's poor away form could prove vital.

Unfortunately, Valencia will be coming off of a key match with Atletico Madrid, however if they can play at their top level, there's no question they'll make it through.