Parejo setting sights on third goal in three games against Atletico

Dani Parejo is chasing his third goal in as many games against Atletico Madrid this Friday. The VCF captain has scored on the last two occasions that he has come up against Los Colchoneros, and in the first half of the season was only denied another goal by a last-gasp save by Jan Oblak.

The previous meeting between the two teams this campaign ended in a 1-1 draw, but Valencia CF want to go one better this time around and strengthen their case for a Champions League spot against a direct rival.

So far this season, Parejo has scored six goals. He is the midfielder in Europe's five big leagues (LaLiga, the Premier League, Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Serie A) who has found the net the most from a starting role this term, behind only Wylan Cyprien of OGC Niza (7).

In his own personal tally, Parejo has only scored more goals at this stage of a season once in his career, with 7 back in 2014/15.

Statistics website WhoScored included him in their ideal scoring starting lineup recently, alongside Cyprien, Doherty (Wolverhampton), Hinteregger (Eintracht Frankfurt), Criscito (Genoa), Theo Hernández (AC Milan), Messi (FC Barcelona), Neymar (PSG), Rashford (Manchester United) and Immobile (SS Lazio).

On Friday, the captain will attempt to lead his team to victory at Mestalla.