By Tim Hanlon
BARCELONA, May 3 (Reuters) - A bullet header from Nicolas Otamendi put Valencia on course for a 3-1 victory over Eibar in La Liga on Sunday that boosted their hopes of claiming a Champions League place.
Valencia had a poor April with two wins from six games but have now strengthened their grip on fourth place and have a three-point lead over Sevilla after they were beaten 3-2 by Real Madrid on Saturday.
Valencia, who occupy the Champions League playoff spot, are four points off Atletico Madrid in the third automatic berth after Diego Simeone's side were held 0-0 at home by Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.