Barcelona vs Valencia Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Spanish Primera
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
When is Barcelona vs Valencia on and what time does it start? Barcelona vs Valencia will take place on Saturday 27th April, 2024 – 13:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Barcelona vs Valencia? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Barcelona vs Valencia on in the UK? Barcelona vs Valencia will be televised live on LaLigaTV, but La Liga matches are also televised occasionally on Viaplay Sports and ITV
Where can I stream Barcelona vs Valencia in the UK? Barcelona vs Valencia can be streamed live on Viaplay, while ITV matches can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
BARCELONA
Following on from a 5-3 defeat at home to struggling Villarreal in January, Xavi Hernandez announced that he would be departing Barcelona at the end of this season after some really poor form. The Catalans then went on a very good run of form with improved performances with Xavi saying that was as a result of his announcement.
However, the former Barcelona midfielder never revealed why that would be the case and now the Blaugrana have once again faded. They were hammered 4-1 by Paris Saint-Germain to lose 6-4 on aggregate in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie before then fully being knocked out of La Liga’s title race against Real Madrid with a 3-2 loss in the Clasico last weekend.
VALENCIA
It has been a really impressive season for Valencia. After the initial interim appointment of former player Ruben Baraja towards the end of last season, the Valencians narrowly avoided relegation on the final day of the campaign and they, when expecting another relegation battle, are now in contention to finish in the top seven and earn European qualifciatoon.
The visitors begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting eighth in La Liga and just a point behind Real Betis in the UEFA Europa Conference League spot, four behind sixth place Real Sociedad. They come into this one on the back of a vital 2-1 loss t the aforementioned Betis at Mestalla last weekend.
THE TEAM NEWS
BARCELONA
La Masia graduates Alex Balde and Gavi remain unavailable for Barcelona this weekend, whilst Frenkie de Jong has suffered another injury.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Cancelo; Gundogan, Christensen, Pedri; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha
UNAVAILABLE: De Jong (Injured), Gavi (Injured), Balde (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
VALENCIA
Both defender Mouctar Diakhaby and attacker Roman Yaremchuk remain unavailable for Valencia this weekend, whilst Jose Luis Gaya is a doubt, too.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Mamardashvili; Correia, Mosquera, Ozkacar, Vazquez; Perez, Pepelu, Guerra, Lopez; Almeida, Duro
UNAVAILABLE: Diakhaby (Injured), Yaremchuk (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Gaya (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
There is a danger that Xavi’s stint in charge of Barcelona fizzles out. He has only six matches to go in his reign and they are comfortably tucked in the top four so will qualify for the UEFA Champions League but they are more or less just as far clear from fifth as they are off first. They now face a Valencia side that are steadily progressing to a potential top seven finish with a defensively strong style of football implemented by Ruben Baraja. Barca remain favourites at home but it is unlikely to be a thriller for the neutral.
TIP: BARCELONA TO WIN & UNDER 3.5 GOALS
