Prediction: Valencia vs Barcelona

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster

Desperate to make up some ground in the La Liga title chase, Barcelona will travel to the Mestalla on Saturday night when they meet Valencia.

Valencia

Starting with the hosts, while Valencia might have found themselves enjoying a major La Liga flurry prior to November’s international break, the Bats have come crashing back down to earth in a worrying fashion. Last seen putting in another downbeat display as they eventually slumped to a 1-0 loss away at Getafe, Ruben Baraja’s side have the feel of a squad seeking a recent boost. Continuing to slip down the standings and opening Saturday’s showdown in the bottom-half, Los Ches have collected just a single point from their previous four La Liga appearances. Marking their return from November’s fortnight break with a routine 5-1 drumming at the hands of Spanish giants Real Madrid, Valencia now face a real uphill battle in their bid to punch a shock European return in the New Year.

Team News

Missing each of Valencia’s last three domestic appearances across all competitions, Los Ches are once again expected to be without defensive talisman Jose Gaya on Saturday night. Likewise, not making a single appearance since the start of October, Baraja will once again be unable to call upon 23-year-old midfielder Andre Almeida.

Shown a pair of bookings against Getafe last week, former Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista will serve a one-match suspension here. Bagging seven La Liga strikes this season, one-time Real Madrid starlet Hugo Duro will spearhead Valencia’s attack.

Barcelona

As for the visitors, while Barcelona might have cruised their way to the Champions League knockout stage without breaking much of a sweat this season, Xavi’s side are seeking a recent boost. Eventually slumping to an action-packed 3-2 loss at the hands of Antwerp in midweek, the Spanish icons do have the feel of a squad seeking a recent boost. Coming under plenty of scrutiny last weekend as they fell to an infamous 4-2 defeat at home against Girona, the Catalonia-based outfit have continued to show some rather glaring defensive issues. Facing a major uphill battle in their bid to defend their La Liga crown this season, Xavi’s side have recorded just a single clean sheet in any of their previous seven appearances across all competitions. Already sat seven points adrift in the title chase, Xavi’s men face what appears to be a crucial battle on Saturday night.

Team News

Still dealing with a recent back injury and not making a single appearance since November 12th, Barcelona will once again be without number-one goalkeeper Marc-Andre ten Stegen. Likewise, sustaining a long-term knee injury while away with Spain during November’s international break, midfield star Gavi is not expected to feature for the remainder of the season.

All forced to settle for a spot on the bench away at Antwerp earlier in the week, the likes of Joao Felix, Joao Cancelo, Pedri and Ilkay Gundogan will certainly be handed a full recall on Saturday night.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Valencia and Barcelona last met back on March 5th, the defending champions picked up a 1-0 victory in Catalonia.
• Xavi’s side have won all of their previous five La Liga meetings against Valencia.
• Barcelona have remarkably suffered just a single defeat at the Mestalla since way back in March 2008.
• Valencia have collected just a single point from their previous four La Liga appearances.
• Barca have recorded just a single clean sheet in any of their last seven showdowns across all formats.

Conclusion

Suffering European frustration following their 3-2 loss away at Antwerp in midweek, Barcelona are certainly seeking a welcomed boost here. However, continuing to show some rather glaring defensive issues on either side of November’s international break, the Spanish giants are desperately seeking some defensive stability. Shipping seven goals in their back-to-back appearances over the past week, some in Valencia’s camp could be smelling the chance to spring a heavyweight upset at the Mestalla. It should be noted, with Xavi’s men seeing five of their previous six appearances finish with both teams getting on the scoresheet, we are expecting a similar outcome on Saturday night.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster