Villarreal striker Roberto Soldado says Gary Neville's Valencia side face a "do-or-die moment" in the teams' New Year's Eve clash in La Liga.
Valencia made a disappointing start to the campaign under Nuno and the arrival of Neville at the start of the month has yet to bring about an improvement in results, with the former Manchester United defender overseeing draws against Eibar and Getafe and a Champions League defeat to Lyon.
Neville's injury-hit side are 10th in the table, eight points behind fifth-placed Villarreal, and Soldado is hoping to add to his former club's problems.
"This is a do-or-die moment for Valencia," he said in AS. "Losing would be a heavy blow for them."
Soldado, who left Valencia in 2013 to join Tottenham, is eager to secure victory in what he views as a "special" game at El Madrigal.
"It's going to be great," he said. "I enjoyed myself big-time there for years. I felt the love from the fans but now I'm out to beat them."
The former Real Madrid, Osasuna and Getafe forward has not yet scored against Valencia, and he added: "Hopefully I'll score against them this time, but the most important is the three points. I'm hoping it'll be my goal that wins it."