Barcelona are looking to prevent a third consecutive loss when they visit Valencia in the La Liga. After losing 4-2 at home to Girona in La Liga last weekend, Xavi’s team is currently seven points off. Meanwhile, Valencia lost 1-0 at Getafe in their most recent game. It sent Los Che into the bottom half of the competition.
Preview (Valencia vs. Barcelona)
This season, Valencia has struggled with consistency as a young club. After 16 league games, the team has won five, drawn four, and lost seven. It placed them in 11th place with 19 points. Between October 7 and November 11, Los Che played four games without a loss in La Liga. However, they have already dropped three of their last four games in Spain’s top division. Ruben Baraja’s team has suffered two straight league losses, going down 2-1 to Girona and 1-0 to Getafe. However, on December 5, they defeated Arosa 2-1 to advance to the Copa del Rey.
Valencia placed 16th in the Spanish top division last season. Despite their recent problems, there is yet opportunity for progress this season. Los Che will undoubtedly be the younger of the two teams going into this match. They have only triumphed 2-0 over Barcelona in January 2020. Los Che has lost all five of their La Liga matches against the Catalan squad. It included 1-0 losses both home and away last season. Barcelona, on the other hand, comes into this game coming off losses to Girona and Royal Antwerp.
Although the defending La Liga champions have lost six of their 16 domestic games this season. Their advancement into the Champions League’s round of 16 is a major plus. In La Liga, Barcelona cannot afford to make many more mistakes. Anything less than a clean sweep of Valencia and Rayo Vallecano in their final two games before the winter break might leave Xavi in a difficult situation.
Team News
Owing to a muscle condition, Jose Gaya is still sidelined for Valencia, and André Almeida is once more anticipated to be sidelined owing to a back injury. Due to suspension, Los Che will also be without two key players: Gabriel Paulista and Javier Guerra, who were both sent off in the team’s most recent tight loss to Getafe. In the heart of the defense, Mouctar Diakhaby is anticipated to take Paulista’s spot, and Guerra’s injury may allow Hugo Guillamon to earn a rare midfield start.
Regarding Barcelona, despite the absence of Gio Martinez, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Inigo Martinez, and Mario Alonso due to injuries, it is anticipated that Frenkie de Jong will make a comeback from illness. Joao Cancelo, Pedro, Ilkay Gundogan, Rapinha, and Joao Felix are all expected to be in the starting lineup. If the medical department gives the go-ahead, De Jong will return to the midfield and Ronald Araujo will also return to the back.
Valencia 1-2 Barcelona
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