Valencia vs Barcelona Preview: Tactics, Team News, Predicted Lineups And Streaming Sites

Barcelona are aiming to get back to winning ways as they take on Valencia on Sunday. It has been a difficult week for Xavi Hernandez and his men, following back to back draws with Espanyol and Napoli. With Atletico Madrid, and Real Sociedad breathing down their necks, securing three points this weekend could be vital as they look to remain in the top four.

However, things won’t be made any easier by a Valencia side desperately looking for their first league win of 2022. Indeed, Jose Bardalas’ men are struggling on the wrong side of the league table, with their most recent mishap coming in the 2-1 defeat to Deportivo Alaves. They are looking for an upturn of fortunes, starting with a positive record against Barcelona this weekend.

Valencia vs Barcelona Preview

Talking Tactics

Valencia

Despite the poor form, Jose Bordalas is likely to persist with his 4-4-2 setup with two strikers leading the frontline, hoping to put pressure on the Barcelona centre-backs. The two banks of four also offer extra resistance to Giorgi Mamardashvilli in goal.

Barcelona

Barcelona, meanwhile, are set to continue with the 4-3-3 setup. The holding midfielder Sergio Busquets should play a vital role in offering composure and stability in the middle of the park, with additional aid from the advanced midfielders in Pedri and Frenkie de Jong.

Team News

Valencia

Valencia are missing first-choice goalkeeper and ex-Barcelona star Jasper Cillessen, whereas former Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista is also out injured. It will be interesting to see if Bordalas opts to start Ilaix Moriba, who will be keen on making an impression against his former club.

Barcelona

Barcelona are missing some key players as well, including Dani Alves and Gerard Pique. Both the veterans are suspended, joining Memphis Depay, Ansu Fati, Clement Lenglet, Ronald Araujo and Sergi Roberto in the club’s list of absentees.

Predicted Lineups

Valencia: Mamardashvili; Correia, Comert, Diakhaby, Gaya; Foulquier, Soler, Moriba, Gil; Guedes, Duro

Barcelona: ter Stegen; Dest, Mingueza, Garcia, Alba; Pedri, Busquets, de Jong; Traore, Aubameyang, Torres

Prediction

Valencia 1-2 Barcelona

Streaming Sites