A quickfire Pablo Piatti double secured a 2-0 win for Valencia at home to Real Sociedad on Sunday that kept them on course to clinch a lucrative berth in the Champions League for next season . Valencia missed out on a place in Europe last term but their sixth win in their last seven games put them eight points clear of chasing Sevilla , who are fifth , and level with third-placed champions Atletico Madrid , who clash in Seville later on Sunday . Argentine forward Piatti fired Valencia ahead in the 53rd minute at a sun-drenched Mestalla and made it 2-0 three minutes later after good work down the right from Sofiane Feghouli . Argentine forward Pablo Piatti ( left ) vies for the ball with Real Sociedad defender Julen Etxabeguren ( right ) Piatti ( right ) celebrates after scoring Valencia 's opening goal during the La Liga match at the Mestalla . They have 53 points from 25 matches , behind Atletico on goal difference ahead of the pair 's match in Madrid next weekend . Hopes are high at Valencia that a recent takeover of the club by Singapore billionaire Peter Lim will help them sort out their finances and return to being genuinely competitive in Spain and Europe . Sociedad , coached by former Manchester United manager David Moyes , are 11th on 27 points , five above the relegation places . Real Madrid can restore their four-point lead over second-placed Barcelona at the top with a win at home to Villarreal later on Sunday . Barca trimmed the gap to one point thanks to Saturday 's scrappy 3-1 win at struggling Granada . Real Sociedad midfielder Sergio Canales ( right ) breaks away from Valencia striker Alvaro Negredo ( left ) Real Sociedad 's Granero ( left ) slides in to block Negredo 's ( right ) shot during Valencia 's 2-0 win . Real Sociedad centre back Inigo Martinez ( left ) jumps to head the ball away from the oncoming Negredo ( right ) Nuno Espirito 's ( right ) Valencia side are currently fourth in La Liga , eight points clear of fifth-placed Sevilla .
Valencia ran out 2-0 winners against Real Sociedad . Pablo Piatti scored a brace to secure his side 's fourth win in seven games . The win sees Valencia move sixth in La Liga , eight points clear of fifth . Valencia are bidding to qualify for the Champions League next season .