The Catalans are aiming to get their league challenge back on track after the loss against Deportivo.
Form
Barcelona are in mixed form going in to this match due to the recent loss. Prior to that, they were on a great run of form due to formation changes brought in after the PSG loss. They have won four of their last five games in all competitions as well as seven in the last ten. At home, they are unbeaten since September in all competitions, which is impressive.
Valencia are in indifferent form with two wins in the last five games, and four wins in the last ten. Only one of those wins has come away from home, and a meagre total of twelve points on the road this season shows how poor they have been.
Squads
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Neymar and Rafinha both return for this match after missing the game against Deportivo. Jérémy Mathieu has returned from injury, but he has been left out of the squad. Aleix Vidal is the only absentee through injury. Jordi Masip and Arda Turan have also been left out of the matchday squad. Luis Enrique has plenty of options for this match, which is the last one before the international break. In contrast to Barcelona, Valencia have plenty of injuries to deal with. Rodrigo, Nani and Santi Mina are all sidelined. Mario Suárez is a doubt as well.
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History
Recent history in this fixture is finely balanced between the two teams. Barcelona have only won two of the last five games, and only one of those was at Camp Nou. In the five games prior to those, Barcelona won three and lost one, so the Catalans haven’t dominated this fixture over the last few years. Los Che will be looking for revenge after Lionel Messi’s last-minute penalty in the return fixture, but they lack the quality to exploit Barcelona’s defence. There has been nineteen goals in the last five games, and thirty-four in the last ten, so there should be plenty of goals.
Playing Style
Valencia like to dominate possession through short passing, and press high up the pitch off when out of possession, rather than playing on the counter-attack. 26% of their goals have come from set-pieces*, so Barcelona will have to be wary in these situations.
The new formation that Enrique has brought in will suit the Catalans in this match because it will allow them to control the midfield. It brings much-needed stability in defence due to the extra centre-back. This allows Sergio Busquets to focus on his own game rather than covering others and ‘putting out fires’. Therefore, he can recycle possession, constantly provide a passing option, and cut out opposition attacks when they do have the ball.
In the 3-4-3 diamond, they are also able to press high up the pitch effectively. This will allow them to force mistakes from the Valencia defence due to their unwillingness to be direct with long balls vertically. The M-S-N trio should have plenty of opportunities in this match, and this should allow them to ease through the match, but Los Che have quality up front, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if they scored.
Prediction: FC Barcelona 3-1 Valencia CF
Predicted Lineup
Denis Suárez and André Gomes could both start.
*Stats according to WhoScored