Barcelona will look to bring an end to their four-match winless run in La Liga when they square up against Valencia on Sunday.
Barcelona will be looking for their first league win since the start of December when they host Valencia, who are fighting hard to come out of the drop zone, at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Sunday.
Not so long ago, the Catalan giants had a significant lead at the top of the table but a poor stretch of results towards the end of 2024 and the start of the new year has seen them go down to third place. They are now seven points behind league leaders Real Madrid.
While they have been winless in their last four league outings, the Spanish Super Cup win and the recent comeback win against SL Benfica in the UEFA Champions League suggests they are back on track. They will be eyeing all three points in this fixture.
The visitors are 19th on the points table, and they have accumulated just 16 points in their 20 outings. Los Che have struggled since the start of the new campaign, and they will find it difficult against one of the best teams in the division.
The positive for Valencia is that they have been unbeaten in their last four outings, winning three of those fixtures. They defeated Real Sociedad in their last outing and will be confident of putting up a strong fight against Hansi Flick’s team. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Barcelona
The home side will be without the services of Inigo Martinez, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and Marc Bernal. Dani Olmo remains a doubt after he missed their last outing because of a calf issue.
Hansi Flick will stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Inaki Pena should make a comeback in goal. Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde should continue as the full-backs, while Ronald Araujo who recently penned a new deal with the club should partner Pau Cubarsi in central defence.
As for the midfield unit, Marc Casado and Pedri should form the double pivot in middle of the park. They will look to protect the backline and ensure they have the majority of the ball. Gavi will featured in the number ten role, with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal on the flank. Polish veteran striker Robert Lewandowski should spearhead the Barcelona attack against Valencia.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Pena; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Valencia
While the visitors haven’t reported any fresh injury concerns, they remain without the services of Mouctar Diakhaby and Thierry Correia. Apart from the duo, Cristhian Mosquera is also unavailable as he is suspended for this fixture.
Valencia will also line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Giorgi Mamardashvili will be in goal. Cesar Tarrega will partner, with Yarek Gasiorowski at the heart of the defence. Meanwhile, Dimitri Foulquier and Jose Gaya should continue out wide on the flanks.
In the centre of the park, Javi Guerra and Enzo Barrenechea will form the double pivot. They will look to shield the backline and ensure the Barcelona midfielder do not end up dominating the proceedings.
Andre Almeida will be the chief creator for the visitors, while Diego Lopez and Luis Rioja will provide width to their attacks. Hugo Duro should be the one leading the line for Valencia against Barcelona on Sunday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Tarrega, Gasiorowski, Gaya; Guerra, Barrenechea; D Lopez, Almeida, Rioja; Duro
Key Stats
- Barcelona have only won one out of their last eight La Liga games.
- The Blaugrana have won 33 out of the last 62 matches against Valencia, who only have 12 wins in those meetings.
- Valencia have played out a total of 46 draws in their 179 league matches against Barcelona which is their highest against a single opponent.
- The Blaugrana have won seven out of their last eight league matches against the visitors.
- Hansi Flick’s team are unbeaten in their last 20 home league games against Valencia. Their last home defeat against them came back in April 2016.
Player to Watch
Raphinha
The Brazilian international is having the best season of his career. He already has 22 goals and 11 assists in the ongoing campaign. Raphinha is amongst the best forwards in the world at this point in time and given the kind of form he has been in, the 28-year-old will surely have a big say on the end result of this fixture.
Prediction
Barcelona 3-0 Valencia
The Blaugrana might not have won any of their last four league games, but they have surely bounced back after a poor end to 2024. Having won the Spanish Super Cup and secured a comeback win over Benfica, they will be confident about getting back on track in La Liga.
While Valencia have had a few positive results in the recent past, they are unlikely to take down Barcelona. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-0 win for Hansi Flick and his charges.