After defeat by Chelsea in midweek, Valencia coach Quique Sanchez Flores admits they're struggling for form at home.

"Wednesday was disappointing. We felt we could have won the game and the players were down afterwards, but we must focus on Saturday's match now and winning three more points," the coach said.

Valencia have not been entirely convincing - especially at home - this season, but have won their last five league games since losing on the opening day to local rivals Villarreal.

Sanchez Flores hopes his side can improve their patchy home form and has called on the club's critical fans to get behind his team.

"We have struggled to impose ourselves at home this season. Teams come here to defend and we have been finding it difficult to break them down, but results have been good in the league and we need the fans to get behind us," he said.

The Valencia coach knows Espanyol are likely to sit back and defend for long periods however, and is wary of Ernesto Valverde's side.

"They are a good team and have proven that they can beat the likes of Sevilla away from home, so we will have to be at our very best," he said.