The stalemate in Turin does not affect Barcelona’s chances in the Champions League but their clash against Valencia at the Mestalla this weekend will surely affect their chances of winning the league title this season. The Catalan giants have already opened up a 10 point gap over rivals Barcelona, but they are just four points off Valencia, their immediate opponents, in the points table.
Marcelino Garcia Toral’s side are fresh off a 2-0 victory over Espanyol in the previous round and will look to surprise Ernesto Valverde’s side, that are yet to lose this season. Here is the predicted lineup the visitors might field for this tie:
Team News:
The likes of Sergi Roberto, Andre Gomes, Rafinha, Ousmane Dembele, and Javier Mascherano are all long-term injuries and are unavailable for this game. Arda Turan is back in training and should find a place on the bench but defender Gerard Pique is out suspended.
Expected lineup (4-1-3-2):
Defense:
German international Marc Andre ter Stegen is among the best in the business at the moment and will hope to have a fruitful day under the bar, in Valencia. His goal will be guarded by a CB partnership of Samuel Umtiti and Tomas Vermaelen, who will make his first start of the season.
Both Pique and Mascherano are out injured, leaving Valverde with little options. Jordi Alba was dropped from the UCL outing against Juventus and is expected to return at left-back while Nelsen Semedo, who had a decent time in Turin, should keep his place at right-back.
Midfield:
Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta were unable to break Juventus’ defense earlier in the week but they will be paired yet again in this crunch tie, as Barcelona go for the kill. They will need to have productive games if the visitors are to take anything from this tie.
Brazilian star Paulinho has become a regular under Valverde and is expected to start as a part of the midfield and should be partnered by Ivan Rakitic, who was also ineffective against the Italian opponents in Europe.
Attack:
Luis Suarez’s brace in the previous game against Leganes will have given him loads of confidence, and he is expected to put in a similar performance this weekend, playing alongside Lionel Messi, who only made the bench in Turin.
Both players have been in electric form recently in the league and could make life hard for the Valencia defenders.
Arda Turan, Lucas Digne, Paco Alacacer, Gerard Deulofeu ad Dennis Suarez might all make the bench.
Here is how they might line up:
