Prediction: Valencia vs Barcelona – Betting Tips, Team News, Key Facts

Verdict: Barcelona win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 7/4

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Looking to extend on their Copa del Rey adventure on Thursday night, Barcelona will travel to the Mestalla when they meet a resurgent Valencia.

Valencia

Starting with the hosts, making an immediate return to winning ways last weekend, Valencia have certainly shown some real signs of life following Carlos Corberan’s arrival over the festive period. Eventually snatching a 2-1 victory at home against Celta Vigo on Sunday afternoon, the Bats are desperate to extend on their recent flurry. However, still scrapping it out in the relegation zone, the former West Brom boss is more than aware of the job that he has on his hands at the Mestalla. Hit with a woeful 7-1 drumming when they travelled to Catalonia on January 26th, Valencia will be bracing themselves for another heavyweight challenge here. Losing eight of their previous nine showdowns against Barcelona and not recording a single victory against Thursday’s guests since January 2020, Corberan’s camp are rightfully pencilled in as a landslide underdog in midweek.

Valencia Team News

Still dealing with a long-term knee injury and not making a single appearance across any competition since the end of October, Thierry Correia remains on the sidelines. However, aside from the former Sporting Lisbon youngster, Valencia have reported a clean bill of health heading into Thursday’s showdown.

Returning from a knock last month, Nigerian international Umar Sadiq should get some more minutes under his belt here. Recording three La Liga strikes since opening the New Year, one-time Real Madrid starlet Hugo Duro will lead the line in midweek.

Barcelona

As for the visitors, while Barcelona might have seen their La Liga title dreams take a real dent, the Spanish giants are clearly enjoying life under the guidance of Hansi Flick. Dragging themselves to a 1-0 victory against Barcelona last weekend, the former Bayern Munich boss has seen his squad gain plenty of plaudits. Unbeaten in each of their previous nine appearances across all competitions, Barca also stormed their way to a Champions League top-eight finish. Laying down a real statement of intent last month as they cruised their way to that 7-1 romp against Valencia in Catalonia, Flick’s side will be desperate to extend on their Copa del Rey adventure here. It should also be highlighted, Thursday’s guests have collected 13 points from their previous five La Liga trips to the Mestalla.

Barcelona Team News

Suffering a first-half head injury against Alaves last weekend, Spanish international Gavi will miss out on Thursday night. Likewise, still sidelines with a recent muscle injury and not featuring over the past few weeks, Dani Olmo is not expected to play any part at the Mestalla.

Notching the winner on Sunday afternoon and already recording seven goals across all competitions since opening the New Year, Polish record-breaker Robert Lewandowski will lead the line here. Dutch international Frankie de Jong could be handed a full recall in the middle of the park.

Valencia vs Barcelona Key Factors to Consider

• When Valencia and Barcelona last met on January 26th, Thursday’s guests stormed their way to a sensational 7-1 romp in Catalonia.
• Flick’s side have won their last three meetings against Los Ches by an aggregate score of 13-4.
• Barcelona have collected 13 points from their last five La Liga trips to the Mestalla.
• Valencia have suffered just a sole defeat from any of their previous six matchups across all fronts.
• Robert Lewandowski has recorded seven goals across all competitions since opening the New Year.

Conclusion

Storming their way to a sensational 7-1 romp when they welcomed Valencia to Catalonia back on January 26th, Barcelona will be seeking a repeat performance here. While Los Ches might have certainly turned a recent corner, Thursday’s hosts will be bracing themselves for a heavyweight test here. With the Spanish giants mustering 13 points from their previous five La Liga trips to the Mestalla, we are expecting an enjoyable home victory in midweek.

Verdict: Barcelona win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 7/4

Bookmaker: Olympusbet