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Barcelona vs Valencia predictions and match preview for Sunday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as the league leaders entertain Los Che.
| Date | Sunday 5th March 2023 |
| Kick-Off | 16:15 (CET) |
| Stadium | Camp Nou |
| Competition | LaLiga Santander |
Barcelona vs Valencia Preview
On Sunday leaders Barcelona host relegation threatened Valencia in the Camp Nou. These games are always entertaining and it should be the same with this one.
It has been a difficult last couple of weeks for Head Coach Xavi Hernández. His side getting knocked out of the Europa League was followed by a shock 1-0 defeat away at Almería. In their last outing against arch-enemies Real Madrid, Xavi needed a response from his players and that is what he got. Barcelona were missing key players such as Pedri and Robert Lewandowski but the Catalans, although playing differently, came out on top with a hard battled 1-0 win. It sets them up nicely for the return leg of the Copa Del Rey semi-final in April.
It was strange to see a Barcelona side with only 35% possession in that game, but the plan worked. Going into this game a win could put them ten points clear with Real Madrid playing later on. Barcelona are sitting comfortably at the top but can’t really afford another slip up here.
Valencia see themselves in the relegation places and this is largely down to their away form. You have to go back to October to find their last win on the road. Legendary Valencia player Rubén Baraja is now back and at his old club but this time as Head Coach and is hoping he can get Valencia moving up the table.
To achieve this, they must first improve on their travels but there was a big boost last weekend. Los Che are going into this game on the back of an impressive 1-0 win over Real Sociedad at Mestalla. Getting something out of this game would really breed confidence within the team as they aim to push up the league table, however another loss could see yet another reset for Baraja’s side.
Team News & Possible Lineups
Barcelona
| INJURED | Dembele, Pedri, Lewandowski |
| DOUBTFUL | Christensen |
| BANNED | Gavi |
Possible XI: Ter Stegen – Alba, Christensen, Araujo, Kounde – Kessie, Busquets, De Jong – Fati, Ferran, Raphinha (4-3-3)
Coach: Xavi
Valencia
| INJURED | Domenech, Gaya, Andre, Nico, Gabriel Paulista |
| DOUBTFUL | Cavani |
| BANNED |
Possible XI: Mamardashvili – Lato, Diakhaby, Comert, Correia – Almeida, Guillamon, Musah – Lino, Duro, Castillejo (4-3-3)
Coach: Ruben Baraja
Score Prediction: Barcelona 2-0 Valencia
The Blaugranas have been impressive this year at home and have only conceded one goal in front of their own fans all season. Looking at Valencia’s away form it is hard to look past a relatively comfortable win for the Catalans.
PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga match predictions are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.
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