FC Barcelona – Valencia
Our Barcelona – Valencia prediction is: Barca win (-1 handicap) – 1.57 odds
- 3rd place in the table for Barcelona
- Barca with the best offense in La Liga
- Valencia only in 19th place in the table
After the spectacular 5-4 Champions League win over Benfica, FC Barcelona are now turning their attention back to the league. On Sunday evening, Hansi Flick’s team will host Valencia CF, who are threatened by relegation, at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
While Barça is fighting for third place with Athletic Bilbao and wants to reduce the five-point gap to Atlético Madrid, Valencia is in the relegation battle.
Interestingly, Valencia’s form has improved despite their precarious position in the table. They recently achieved an important 1-0 win against Real Sociedad. Barça, on the other hand, may have looked impressive in offense under Flick, as the goal festival against Benfica showed, but were sometimes worryingly vulnerable in defense. Find out which bets could be worthwhile here in our Barcelona – Valencia tip.
Barcelona – Valencia info
- Stadium: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona
- Date and time: 26/01/2025, 9:00 pm
- Competition: La Liga, match day 21
- Broadcast: Sky
Barcelona form & record check
Barcelona are currently in impressive form, as demonstrated not least by their spectacular 5-4 away win over Benfica in the Champions League. Hansi Flick’s team are in top form, especially in offense – they have scored no fewer than 18 goals in their last five games. Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha have particularly caught the eye, regularly causing danger in front of goal.
The measure of all things in attack!
It’s interesting to note that Barcelona have not been beaten in five games despite the sometimes wild nature of their play, picking up four wins along the way. The only small disappointment was the 1-1 draw at Getafe. The team is in 3rd place in the league, level on points with Athletic Club and five points behind Atletico Madrid. You might think that the defense still has room for improvement with 80% of goals conceded in the last few games – but the offensive power usually makes up for that.
The development under Flick, who has left his mark on the team, is particularly noteworthy: Barcelona not only scores at least one goal in 100% of games, but also consistently scores in the first half. It remains to be seen whether this offensive approach will be successful in the long term – but it is definitely fun for the fans at the moment.
Barcelona Facts & Analysis
- Position: 3
- Best offense in Spain
- Only one win in last eight LaLiga games
Barcelona are expected to field the tried and tested 4-2-3-1 system against Valencia. Interestingly, Flick seems to be sticking to his basic formation despite the injuries to ter Stegen and Martinez. Szczęsny is likely to start in goal again. Koundé, Araujo, Cubarsí and Balde are expected to form the back four, with young Cubarsí in particular having impressed recently. Casadó and de Jong are likely to pull the strings in defensive midfield. In front of them, the creative trio of Yamal, Gavi and Raphinha will support Lewandowski in attack. It will be interesting to see whether this formation finds the right balance between defensive stability and the necessary forward momentum.
Valencia Form & Balance Check
Valencia have been in surprisingly good form in recent weeks, particularly underlining the latest 1-0 win against Real Sociedad. Particularly noteworthy is the defensive stability – in the last five games, the team has not conceded a single goal in the first half. This new compactness could well be described as a small recipe for success.
Can they turn things around?
The development in offense is also interesting: the team scored in all of their last five games, including two convincing 2-0 wins in the cup against Eldense and Ourense CF. The 1-1 draw at Sevilla was also a respectable result. However, the streak somewhat obscures the precarious situation in the table – as 19th, Valencia is still fighting to avoid relegation.
It is fair to question whether the current upward trend is sustainable. Negotiations to strengthen the team with Elmas from RB Leipzig suggest that the club has recognized the seriousness of the situation. The gap to safety is only three points – but without further reinforcements, it could be tight in the relegation battle.
Valencia facts & analysis
- Position in the table: 19
- The first time in three games without a win in Spain
- On average, less than one goal per game
Valencia are expected to field their usual 4-2-3-1 formation against Barcelona, although coach Corberán will have to make a few changes. The suspended Mosquera will be missing from the center of defense – Caufriez could be used alongside Tárrega. Interestingly, Diakhaby and Correia, two other defensive options, are missing due to injury. In midfield, the duo of Guerra/Barrenechea seems set. The offensive line behind striker Duro should consist of Diego López, Almeida and Rioja. It is noteworthy that with Rafa Mir and Sadiq, two potential attacking options are unavailable due to injury.
Barcelona – Valencia Head to Head & Statistics
