Preview: Barcelona vs Valencia – predictions, news about teams, lists of teams

Barcelona rendezvous in the clash of La Liga on Saturday with Valencia seek to strengthen their advantage by five points at the top of the rankings.

Valencia went to Camp Nou in seventh place, while seven points were recorded in their last three outings in the top flight of Spain.

Barcelona

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Barcelona has recorded eight successive victories to establish a clear lead at the top of the standings, but Ernesto ValverdeThe team faces the prospect of being denied a midweek blow in the middle of the week against a two-goal deficit in the return leg of their Copa del Rey match with Sevilla.

Valverde tended to run his team for the cup competition, but the situation led the Barca boss to name a stronger team for the opposite match and the performance suggested that the Catalan giants are motivated to win everything this season.

They had a little luck during the match. Sevilla missed a penalty – and the chance to pbad 3-1 overall – but recorded a 6-1 victory over the current fourth-best team in the league – a statement of intent.

Valverde was also pleased that the goals were shared by five players and that Lionel Messi on the score sheet, this is far from being a one-man team and they build a lot of momentum.

The defense will continue to raise concerns until avoidable goals are ruled out, but showing a ruthless sequence in the last third will ease the pressure on Gerard spades and his teammates.

Since the beginning of December, Barcelona has had a favorable championship schedule, but 23 goals have been recorded during this period and it is difficult to see anyone stop the race anytime soon.

An injury to Ousmane Dembele resulted in Philippe Coutinho Another opportunity in the team, but the Brazilian seems to like the possibility to silence the skeptics while he continues to be linked to a departure from the club.

The playmaker will have to put in a long period of good form to stay in the first XI, but two goals against Sevilla in the middle of the week could well mark the start of Valverde's victory at 26.

Recent form: WWWWWW
Recent form (all competitions): WWWLWW

Valencia

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Valencia has not so far managed to match the level of performance and results it has consistently produced last season, but there are signs that Marcelino Garcia ToralThe sides start to move up a gear.

Consecutive wins over Celta Vigo and Villarreal have allowed the club to improve its position in the championship by several places, and the next goal will be fifth place. Alaves now has only three points in advance.

It will be recognized that everything that is done at Camp Nou this week will be considered a bonus, but that does not mean that Valencia can not surprise the leaders in form.

Celta Vigo's triumph at the start of January was impressive as Valencia lost the lead the week before, but the 3-0 win over Villarreal last weekend matched the season's biggest win for the season. club.

Valencia had already struggled to score goals earlier in the campaign, but they have now scored in nine of their last 10 La Liga matches with Real Madrid's only failure at Bernabeu.

Daniel Parejo remains the top scorer with five goals, but Rodrigo Moreno has scored four goals in his last two outings, in all competitions, and the former Real Madrid trainee will take advantage of the opportunity to improve his homecoming to Barcelona.

Marcelino will be wary of a drop in energy after Getafe's spectacular win over the Copa del Rey on Tuesday. The Valencia boss will also look to take advantage of the fact that Barcelona have had a day less to prepare for this match. .

It remains to be seen if this will have a negative impact on the hosts. But Valencia has every reason to believe that they can be competitive on Saturday night.

Recent form: DWLDWW
Recent form (all competitions): DWWLWW

News from the team

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Barcelona must do without Sergio Busquets this weekend due to the midfield suspension.

This could lead to a midfielder three of Arthur, Ivan Rakitic and Arturo Vidal, although Sergi Roberto is another possibility with Nelson Semedo back in the team right.

Ousmane Dembele, Samuel Umtiti and Rafinha all remain absent due to injury.

Valencia will continue to be without Goncalo Guedes and Geoffrey Kondogbiabut Ezequiel Garay is likely to get the green light Mouctar Diakhaby.

Barcelona possible at departure:
Ter Stegen; Semedo, Piqué, Lenglet, Alba; Vidal, Arthur, Rakitic; Messi, Suarez, Coutinho

Valencia possible at departure:
Neto; Piccini, Paulista, Garay, Gaya; Soler, Parejo, Coquelin, Cheryshev; Moreno, Mina

Head-to-head

Barcelona are undefeated in their last seven games against Valencia, but they rarely have it in their own way.

Valencia recorded two draws and reduced the margin of defeat to one goal three times, while visitors came out victorious at Camp Nou in 2016.

The corresponding match earlier this season ended in a 1-1 draw.

We say: Barcelona 3-0 Valencia

Valencia has impressed in recent weeks, but we can not oppose Barcelona. Valverde's men battled Sevilla and, although we did not expect six more goals, a disciplined performance can lead to a comfortable victory.