FC Barcelona
vs
Valencia CF
Kick-off
20:30 GMT
01 February 2018
It’s getting towards that stage of the season where trophies start to get given out. In Spain, the first trophy that is on offer is the Copa del Rey and with just four teams left, it is time for the semi-final. One of the two semis will be played out between Barcelona and Valencia, the first leg takes place on Thursday evening at Camp Nou before the two sides will return to Mestalla next week for the second leg.
Valencia have been outclassed by Barcelona in their head-to-head over the years and have beaten them just twice in the last 24 attempts in all competitions! The last time these sides met in the Copa del Rey was just two years ago at the same stage and Barcelona absolutely obliterated Valencia after beating them 7-0 in their home leg. Suarez scored four and Messi scored a hat-trick that evening. Thursday’s visitors will be hoping to take some confidence from the last time they knocked Barca out of this competition in 2008. Juan Mata scored two in their 4-3 aggregate victory.
Barcelona must take advantage of the home first leg and take a comfortable lead into next week’s reverse fixture. Sergio Busquets is a doubt as to whether he will feature while Thomas Vermaelen and Ousmane Dembele aren’t quite ready to return to action. Latest matches: FC Barcelona
28.01.2018
LaLi
FC Barcelona
CD Alaves
2:1
W
25.01.2018
Copa
FC Barcelona
Espanyol Barcelona
2:0
W
21.01.2018
LaLi
Betis Sevilla
FC Barcelona
0:5
W
17.01.2018
Copa
Espanyol Barcelona
FC Barcelona
1:0
L
14.01.2018
LaLi
Real Sociedad
FC Barcelona
2:4
W
Avoiding defeat is a very tough task for Valencia but if they can do that, they will be in a very good position to progress to the final. Three of their players have returned to training this week: Gabriel, Jeison Murillo and Javier Jimenez but Gonçalo Guedes is a major doubt. Latest matches: Valencia CF
27.01.2018
LaLi
Valencia CF
Real Madrid
1:4
L
24.01.2018
Copa
CD Alaves
Valencia CF
4:4
D
20.01.2018
LaLi
Las Palmas UD
Valencia CF
2:1
L
17.01.2018
Copa
Valencia CF
CD Alaves
2:1
W
13.01.2018
LaLi
Deportivo La Coruna
Valencia CF
1:2
W
Barcelona have a big chance to complete an incredible treble this season with their participation in La Liga and the Champions League as well as this Copa del Rey run. This is the first piece of silverware of all three that they can get their hands on but they will need a good first leg result to give themselves the best opportunity to progress. They are certainly favourites to do that against a weaker Valencia side. Barca are expected to put this tie beyond doubt in the first leg as they are playing extremely well at the moment. Valencia will need to defend well and hope they can hit the hosts on the counter-attack.
01 February 2018 - 20:30 GMT
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