Introduction
Its Match day 09 in La Liga and FC Barcelona host Valencia C.F. in the Camp Nou. FC Barcelona went into the International Break after a loss against defending champions Atletico Madrid. Valencia on the other hand, drew with Cadiz.
This week proves to be very important for FC Barcelona as it might be a decider for the future of their head Coach Ronald Koeman.
Facing a tough opponent at home in form of Valencia, Barca have a tough job to do. The Blaugranas sit at 9th in the table. They will look to get a much needed win which can act as a support for the upcoming El Clasico next week.
Meanwhile, Valencia have been playing some really good football under Jose Bordalas, the former Getafe man and the one who’s certainly not viewed by Barca fans in a positive light. His Valencia side sit 8th in the table at the moment and they’ll be looking to win and go up the table.
Valencia, just like Barca had a really good start to the season winning three out of first four, but they were winless in their next four. They have a very good shape defensively and they’ll look to frustrate Barca. They might as well steal a win at Camp Nou, especially when they have their attacking players back.
Pre-match Trivia
- Barcelona have been the better side against Valencia in their last 10 La Liga games, losing just one (W5, D4). The loss came in a form of 2 – 0 defeat at Mestalla in January 2020.
- Barcelona have scored atleast one goal against Valencia everytime they’ve faced them at home in the last 17 games, (45 goals). This is their second longest goal scoring streak against them with the longest being 31 games coming between 1939 and 1970.
- Barcelona are also unbeaten against Valencia in their last five games at the Camp Nou, (W3, D2), since a 1 – 2 loss back in April 2016.
- Valencia are the team who have scored the most goals in Camp Nou in La Liga since 2013/14. They have found the back of net 14 times and scoring twice in atleast six of them.
- Barcelona went seven games unbeaten between May and September (W4, D3), before losing to Atletico Madrid. The last time they lost two back to back games was in October 2020.
- After taking 10 points out of first 12 in La Liga this season, Valencia have managed to take only 2 from next 12.
FORM
FC Barcelona (All Competitions) – L D D W L L
Valencia C.F. (All Competitions) – W W L L D D
Team News
FC Barcelona
Barcelona will be without the services of Pedri and Ronald Araujo for this fixture. Sergio Aguero was back for Barcelona in training and is expected to make his much awaited Barcelona debut in this match. Ansu Fati and Phillipe Coutinho are expected to start the match up front along with Memphis Depay. The backline will be composed of Gerard Pique and one of Eric Garcia or Oscar Mingueza. Jordi Alba is also back and will be looking to start against his former club. Sergio Busquets, Frenkie De Jong and Gavi are expected to start in midfield.
Valencia CF
Valencia have a much needed boost with Captain Jose Gaya and Carlos Soler back in contention for this match. Ex Barcelona goalkeeper Cilessen will start for the Los Che with defence being completed by Foulqier, Paulista and Lato. The midfield would be a 4 man midfield which will comprise of Musa, Wass, Guillamon and Soler. Maxi Gomez is back from suspension and he will be looking to start. He will be complimented by Goncalo Guedes up front.
Predicted Lineups
Conclusion
It promises to be an exciting encounter to witness. Valencia have been a good defensive unit under Bordalas and that could cause worries for Barcelona but they have enough quality in their ranks to see this one out.
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