FC Barcelona
vs
Valencia CF
Kick-off
17:30 GMT
02 February 2019
With the winter break and the busy festive schedule well behind us, the 2018/19 European season is nearing its final stretch. In La Liga, Barcelona are looking to defend their title and they face Valencia on Saturday.
As is to be expected, Valencia’s record against Barcelona isn’t something that they will be able to take confidence from but their last two league wins against the Catalans have come at the Camp Nou. The last time the sides met, it ended 1-1 after Lionel Messi cancelled out Ezequiel Garay’s opener. Both teams have scored in each of the last seven league meetings but three of those have ended 1-1.
The hosts will be desperate to maintain their lead at the top of the table and a win over Valencia would do just that. Sergio Busquets is suspended whilst Rafinha, Samuel Umtiti and Ousmane Dembele are all injured and won’t feature. Latest matches: FC Barcelona
30.01.2019
Copa
FC Barcelona
Sevilla FC
6:1
W
27.01.2019
LaLi
Girona FC
FC Barcelona
0:2
W
23.01.2019
Copa
Sevilla FC
FC Barcelona
2:0
L
20.01.2019
LaLi
FC Barcelona
CD Leganes
3:1
W
17.01.2019
Copa
FC Barcelona
Levante UD
3:0
W
Valencia need to avoid defeat if there are to continue their pursuit of the top six. Only Jose Gaya and Javier Jimenez miss out as Goncalo Guedes has returned to training this week. Latest matches: Valencia CF
29.01.2019
Copa
Valencia CF
Getafe CF
3:1
W
26.01.2019
LaLi
Valencia CF
Villarreal CF
3:0
W
22.01.2019
Copa
Getafe CF
Valencia CF
1:0
L
19.01.2019
LaLi
Celta de Vigo
Valencia CF
1:2
W
15.01.2019
Copa
Valencia CF
Sporting Gijon
3:0
W
As they always are on their own patch, Barcelona are big favourites to come away with three points on Saturday evening. They don’t usually keep a clean sheet against Valencia which is why it might be wise to back the home side to win and both teams to score.
02 February 2019 - 17:30 GMT
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