Valencia vs FC Barcelona: Match preview, team news, predicted line-ups, result, head-to-head, venue, date, time, where to watch

Valencia and FC Barcelona prepare to kickstart a dazzling weekend which would see the depleted Catalans take a stern away test at Mestalla. Xavi’s brigade is likely to make some changes to their squad which featured for the midweek shock loss against YEFA Champions League debutants Royal Antwerp FC.

An uphill task

Valencia and Barcelona have always redeemed themselves in their blitzkrieg encounters, be it in 2011/12 season when Barca thumped Valencia 5-1 owing to a classy four-goal haul by Argentine World Cup winner, and a then a youngster whose meteoric rise has been well documented among the Catalan history books, or a sturdy 1-0 victory last year owing to Lewandowski’s brilliance- Barca vs Valencia is always up for the grabs.

But, this season, it might be a stern test for both sides as they are enduring a rather mediocre season. Valencia, known by “Los Che”, will be preparing to host the defending champions after a harsh defeat away at Getafe, when they lost the game 0-1, thanks to a Borja Mayoral goal at the dying minutes of the game, which led Getafe register a stern victory against a sturdy Valencia side. With that loss, “Los Che” has been reeling at the 11th spot, mustering 19 points from 16 games played, with seven losses to their name. But, banking on home support, they are expected to come out all guns blazing against a faltering Barcelona side, who would look to return to winning ways after suffering two heartbreaking losses in as many games.

On the other hand, the defending champions FC Barcelona find themselves in the middle of a turmoil, where they could only see wins and nothing else. It was last weekend when their title defense dreams were dealt with a massive blow when they lost to surprise package of this season Girona FC by a humongous score line of 2-4, at Estadi Olimpic. Although the game was topsy-turvy for most of the time, with Ilkay Gundogan and Lewa among goals, it was Girona who had the last laugh after ninety minutes, as they reclaimed the top spot from Real Madrid, and left Barca reeling on a mediocre 4th spot.

With a lousy midweek clash against Royal Antwerp at the final group game of UEFA Champions League, Xavi mad handed starts to several of his second team players, having several La Masia stars to line-up for their debut, like Hector Fort and Marc Guiu. Although considered to be an easy clash and with Barca already through to the next round, it seemed to be a walk in the park for the UCL veterans. But, it seems to be going all wrong for the Catalans as they lost to their Belgian counterparts 3-2, handing them a debut victory at the last group game. Some positives would be considered as Marc Guiu scored a classy goal, and Fort made his debut, but at the end, a loss is what would be written in papers for them.

Valencia vs FC Barcelona: team news

With a nail-biter on the clash for the weekend, both sides would be eager to field a strong eleven. But, injuries and suspensions could play a spoilsport tomorrow, with both sides missing several crunch players. For Valencia, they would be without the services of veteran Jose Gaya, who is recuperating from a muscle injury, whereas Andre Almeida is slated to miss out with a back problem. Paulista and Javi Guerra would be missing out owing to their suspensions in their last fixture against Getafe, as Diakhaby is slated to take the field in place of Paulista.

For Barcelona, seasoned midfielder Frenkie De Jong is expected to come back in the starting line-up after recovering from a bout of illness, whereas Xavi would be missing clutch players like Gavi, Ter Stegen and Martinez, who are nursing their respective injuries. First-team players like Cancelo, Pedri, Gundogan are lined up to play the game.

Valencia vs FC Barcelona: predicted line-up

Valencia: Mamardashvilli; Correira, Mosquera, Diakhaby, Gasiorowski; Foulquier, Guillamon, Pepelu, Perez; Duro, Lopez

FC Barcelona: Pena; Cancelo, Araujo, Christensen, Kounde; Gundogan, Pedri, Frenkie; Lewandowski, Raphinha, Joao Felix

Valencia vs FC Barcelona: predicted result

Valencia 2-3 FC Barcelona

Valencia vs FC Barcelona: head-to-head

Valencia wins: 7

FC Barcelona wins: 24

Draws: 14

Last Meeting: FC Barcelona 1-0 Valencia (5th March, 2023)

Valencia vs FC Barcelona: Venue, Date, Time, Where to Watch

Venue: Mestalla Stadium

Date: 17th December, 2023

Time: 01:30 AM (Indian Standard Time)

Where to Watch: Sports 18