2018-19 Spanish Copa del Rey Final – Barcelona vs Valencia Preview & Prediction

THE FACTS

When does Barcelona vs Valencia kick off? Saturday 25^th May, 2019 – 20:00 (UK)

Where is Barcelona vs Valencia being played? Estadio Benito Villamarin, Sevilla

What television channel is Barcelona vs Valencia on? This match will not be televised live in the UK

Where can I stream Barcelona vs Valencia? bet365 customers can stream the match on their website.

Where can I get tickets for Barcelona vs Valencia? https://www.stubhub.ie/copa-del-rey-final-tickets-sevilla-estadio-benito-villamarin-5-25-2019/event/104028274/?sort=price+asc

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Last meeting: Barcelona 2-2 Valencia (2^nd February 2019)

League position: Barcelona: 1^st with 87 points / Valencia: 4^th with 61 points

Last match: Eibar 2-2 Barcelona: / Valladolid 0-2 Valencia

TEAM NEWS

BARCELONA

Barcelona come into this Copa del Rey final seeking to make it a domestic double after they won the league title comfortably, and victory here in Sevilla would make it a fifth consecutive cup triumph for the Catalan club.
Boss Ernesto Valverde has various injury problems ahead of this match and goalkeeper Marc ter Stegen was ruled out so back-up stopper Jasper Cillessen will deputise for the German which is a significant loss that Valencia will try and exploit.
Coutinho is expected to be passed fit to start so he should come into the attack while Sergi Roberto and Malcom will fight it out for the other spot in the attacking trio alongside Coutinho and Messi.

Predicted line-up (4-3-3): Cillessen; Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Jordi Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Vidal; Sergi Roberto, Messi, Coutinho

Unavailable: Ter Stegen (Injured), Luis Suarez (Injured), Rafinha (Injured)

Doubtful: Semedo (Injured), Arthur (Injured), Dembele (Injured), Boateng (Injured), Coutinho (Injured)

VALENCIA

Regardless of the result of this match, Valencia will rightly consider this to have been a hugely successful season after reaching the Europa League semi-finals, finishing fourth in the league to qualify for next season’s Champions League, and in reaching this cup final.
The fact that they were forced to play until the very last game in the league in the race for fourth spot should prepare them well for this game and all their players should be sharp and raring to go for this match.
Kondogbia came off the bench in that game after recovering from an injury which has kept him out for several weeks and boss Marcelinho will have to decide whether to start him or keep the faith with Coquelin.

Predicted line-up (4-4-2): Jaume Domenech; Wass, Gabriel, Garay, Gaya; Carlos Soler, Dani Parejo, Kondogbia, Goncalo Guedes; Santi Mina, Rodrigo

Unavailable: Cheryshev (Injured), Lee Kang-In (International duty)

Doubtful: Garay (Injured)

EXPERT ANALYSIS

Valencia come into this Copa del Rey final and they will not fear facing Barcelona here. They managed to claim two score draws against them in the league over the course of the season and they have shown they can match some of the best teams in Spain and Europe this season. Barcelona are not helped by the fact that they have various injuries to contend with and their attack especially is hampered by the absence of Suarez and knocks to Coutinho and Dembele. They will rely even more so on Lionel Messi to produce the magic in this game. Despite this being a final, there is every chance it will be an open and attacking game and do not rule out Valencia potentially causing an upset here.