Barcelona vs Valencia – La Liga – Preview

Posted on March 19, 2017 by Sreya

Barcelona vs Valencia – Barcelona hosts Valencia at El Camp Nou on 19th March, Sunday as they aim to close the gap on La Liga leaders Real Madrid.

Barcelona are second in league standings with sixty points, having played a game more than Real Madrid while Valencia are fourteenth with thirty points.

The visitors have had a difficult season so far and have won only one of their previous four league fixtures – their last match against Sporting Gijon ended in a 1-1 draw while Barcelona suffered a shocking 2-1 defeat at Deportivo La Coruna in their last league outing.

Team News

Aleix Vidal is injured but Neymar and Rafinha are available for Barcelona. The visitors will be without the injured Rodrigo Moreno, Santi Mina and Nani.

Barcelona Possible Starting Lineup: Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Samuel Umiti, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar.

Valencia Possible Starting Lineup: Diego Alves, Martin Montoya, Elaquim Mangala, Ezequiel Garay, Jose Gaya, Carlos Soler, Enzo Perez, Daniel Parejo, Joao Cancelo, Simone Zaza, Fabian Orellana.

“Looking back at past encounters, they are an opponent who always cause us problems. Even though they are not high up in the table, they have players of the highest level. They are tough opponents. I believe it will be decided in the final weeks of the season because it is the most decisive part and the calendar.”

– Luis Enrique, Barcelona.

Contributor’s Pick

According to Barcelona vs Valencia H2H Stats, the last five matches between these two clubs have resulted in two wins for Barcelona, one win for Valencia and two draws, including Barcelona’s infamous 7-0 win over Valencia a couple of seasons back.

Barcelona are undefeated in 20 of their last 22 matches against Valencia in all competitions. Valencia have failed to win nine of their previous ten away matches in the league and a 3-1 win for Barcelona is the most likely outcome of this game.