Barcelona-Valencia is a match from the 24th day of La Liga and is played on Sunday at 16:15: odds, predictions, TV and streaming.
The emotions of a match like the Clasico are unique in the world, and it is precisely in one of the most exciting matches of the season – in this case the semi-final first leg of the Copa del Rey against the hated Real Madrid – that Barcelona have found the strength to recover after two worrying defeats and metaphorically ‘switch off’ the alarm bells. On Thursday, at the ‘Bernabeu’, it ended 0-1 to the blaugrana.
A result that leaves everything still open in view of the return match, but which at the same time can be a great confidence boost for Xavi’s team, protagonist of a great defensive performance. Curious, in fact, the ball possession figure: only 35% for a Barça never so far from the tiki-taka days. Without Lewandowski, who was injured, the Catalans managed just as well, preventing a recovering Real Madrid from rarely appearing in front of the goal defended by ter Stegen. Or rather, by not conceding any clear goal chances to their opponents. The decisive goal, bringing Barcelona a step closer to the final, was set up by former AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessié but was in fact an own goal by Militao. It was Xavi and his men’s second victory over the Blancos in the space of less than two months: in January, Barça had prevailed 3-1 in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia.
Xavi dreams of an extension
Barcelona arriving on the wings of enthusiasm at the league match against Valencia: the blaugrana are at the top of the standings, with a seven-point margin over Real Madrid. The aim now is to erase the setback of a week ago against Almeria, their first defeat of the new year in La Liga.
Castillejo
The Bats, on the other hand, are embroiled in the fight not to be relegated and with only 23 points from as many matches they lie in second to last place. Last Saturday, however, they managed to reverse the trend. New coach Ruben Baraja was delighted with his first win at the Mestalla in a 1-0 victory over top-ranked Real Sociedad, giving the Valencian public their first home victory since November, when Gennaro Gattuso was still on the bench.
The Prediction
There will be many absentees on both sides – Cavani and Lewandowski will be missing – but Barcelona, reinvigorated by their Copa del Rey success against Real Madrid, should not let the three points slip through their fingers. After all, nobody has been through the Camp Nou this year, with the Blaugrana barely conceding a single goal.
Barcelona v Valencia matchday squad
- BARCELONA (4-3-3): ter Stegen; Koundé, Christensen, Araujo, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Kessié, de Jong; Ferran Torres, Raphinha, Ansu Fati.
- VALENCIA (4-4-2): Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Cömert, Diakhaby, Lato; Castillejo, Guillamón, Almeida, Musah; Hugo Duro, Samuel Lino.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-0
