Prediction: Barcelona vs Valencia

Prediction: Barcelona to win 2-0

Best Odds: 6/1

Bookmaker: Zetbet

Barcelona and Valencia will lock horns with each other in La Liga next weekend. The match between Hansi Flick’s side and Carlos Corberan’s side will be held at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys and is scheduled to kick off at 8pm UK time on Sunday.

Barcelona

Barcelona are one of the biggest clubs in the world and won the La Liga title last season. The Blaugrana reinforced their squad with the signings of Joan Garcia, Roony Bardghji, Marcus Rashford and Ander Astralaga in the summer transfer window.

The Blaugrana will aim to retain their La Liga title this season and will also look to win the UEFA Champions League title. Barcelona, though, will face tough competition from bitter rivals Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid and will have to go all out again.

Hansi Flick’s side kicked off their new La Liga campaign with a 3-0 victory over Real Mallorca away from home. Then came a narrow 3-2 win against Levante on the road in the league, which followed a 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano at Estadio de Vallecas.

Team News:

Barcelona are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Valencia. Joan Garcia will be in goal for the Blaugrana. Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen and Alejandro Balde will be the four defenders. Frenkie de Jong and Pedri will be deployed in holding midfield. Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo and Raphinha will be the three attacking midfielders. Ferran Torres will lead the line for Barcelona.

Valencia

Valencia are one of the biggest clubs in Spain and were playing in the UEFA Champions League not so long ago, but things have been dire for them for a while now. Los Che ended up ninth in the La Liga table in the 2023-24 campaign and finished 12th in the standings last season.

Carlos Corberan’s side will have to step up their game this season. While Valencia are unlikely to challenge for the UEFA Champions League or UEFA Europa League places, they will be keen on at least ending up in the top half of the table.

Valencia are ninth in the La Liga table at the moment with four points from three matches. Los Che will head into the league game against Barcelona away from home at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on the back of a 3-0 victory over Getafe in La Liga. It came after a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Osasuna on the road in the league.

Team News:

Valencia are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Barcelona. Julen Agirrezabala will lead the line for Los Che. Dimitri Foulquier, César Tárrega, Mouctar Diakhaby and Jesús Vázquez will be the four defenders. Javier Guerra and Baptiste Santamaria will be the two holding midfielders. Luis Rioja, Diego Lopez and Arnaut Danjuma will be the three attacking midfielders. Hugo Duro will lead the line for Valencia.

Key Factors to Consider

• Barcelona have scored 7 goals in 3 La Liga games so far this campaign.
• Barcelona have conceded 3 goals in 3 La Liga games so far this campaign.
• Lamine Yamal has scored 2 goals and given 2 assists in 3 La Liga matches for Barcelona so far this campaign.
• Valencia have scored 4 goals in 3 La Liga matches so far this season.
• Valencia have conceded 2 goals in 3 La Liga matches so far this season.

Conclusion

Valencia have made a good start to the new La Liga season, but Barcelona, who won the league title last season, have a better team and are in better form. It is hard to see anything but a comfortable win for the Blaugrana.

Prediction: Barcelona to win 2-0

Best Odds: 6/1

Bookmaker: Zetbet