As the new La Liga season unfolds, the spotlight turns to Valencia and Barcelona, two teams with contrasting fortunes from the previous campaign.
Set to clash on August 17th at the Estadio de Mestalla, both clubs have clear objectives for this season: Valencia aims to return to European competition, while Barcelona seeks to reclaim the title they narrowly missed last year.
Match Preview
Valencia concluded the previous season in 9th place, finishing with 49 points.
Though they had aspirations for a stronger finish, inconsistency marred their efforts, resulting in a lack of European qualification.
Their recent form heading into the season has been shaky, with only one win in their last eight league matches.
However, they come off a thrilling 3-2 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt in a recent friendly, showcasing their attacking potential.
In that match, Valencia scored twice within the first 15 minutes, and though they faced a comeback from Frankfurt, they clinched the win with a late goal.
Barcelona, finishing in 2nd place with 85 points last season, finds themselves in a position where they are expected to challenge for the title.
Despite a disappointing 3-0 loss to Monaco in the Joan Gamper Trophy, the Catalan giants have shown strength in La Liga, winning nine of their last eleven fixtures.
Barcelona’s recent preseason included a notable victory over rivals Real Madrid and draws against Manchester City and AC Milan, indicating that they possess the quality to bounce back from setbacks.
Head to Head
Historically, Barcelona has been dominant in their encounters with Valencia, remaining undefeated in their last eight La Liga matches against them.
In addition to this, Barcelona has won 9 of their last 11 league fixtures, showcasing a strong trend that favors the visitors.
Valencia’s struggles against the Catalan side, combined with their recent home form, adds an extra layer of challenge for the hosts.
Team News
Valencia will be without key players Jose Gaya, Jaume Doménech, and Mouctar Diakhaby due to injuries.
However, they have brought in new loan signings including Dani Gómez, Stole Dimitrievski, and Rafa Mir, who will be eager to make an impact.
Barcelona, meanwhile, will miss Ansu Fati, Ronald Araujo, and Gavi, all sidelined due to injuries.
There are also concerns regarding the fitness of Pedri and Frenkie De Jong.
New signing Dani Olmo could make his full debut, providing additional firepower as the team seeks to secure valuable points on the road.
Prediction
Given Barcelona’s historical dominance over Valencia and their stronger overall form, we anticipate a competitive match that could see both teams finding the back of the net.
However, with Valencia’s struggles and Barcelona’s attacking prowess, the away team is likely to come away with maximum points.
- Score Prediction: Valencia 1-2 Barcelona
Betting Tips
Barcelona to Win: Betting on an away victory for Barcelona is a solid choice, considering their recent track record against Valencia.
Both Teams to Score – Yes: Expect both teams to register on the scoreboard, given their attacking capabilities.
Over 2.5 Goals: With both teams looking to assert themselves, a wager on over 2.5 goals could provide good returns.
Dani Olmo to Score Anytime: With the new signing likely to play a pivotal role, placing a bet on Dani Olmo to score during the match could be a strategic option.
