LA LIGA PREVIEW: VALENCIA VS BARCELONA

INTRODUCTION

Barcelona travel to Mestalla for their next big La Liga adventure in what promises to be an enthralling contest.

It's not been a great October for FC Barcelona. Succumbing to their first League loss against their arch rivals, falling out of the Champions League group stages for the second year in a row with 1 victory out of 5, it's been a month to forget for the club.

Domestically however, they've been impressive. With back to back convincing wins last week, the Catalans will now face a somewhat valiant Valencia away from home.

Gennaro Gattuso has had mixed results with Valencia since his appointment, with 4 wins, 4 losses and 3 draws in his first 11 games. They were on a five game unbeaten streak before that ended against Mallorca on home turf. They'll be the fresher of the two sides as they have no European commitments, and will want to get a statement win against the Catalan giants.

INTERESTING STATS 

- Barcelona have won 9 of their last 10 La Liga games.

- While they have been shoddy at the back in Europe, Barcelona’s defensive unit remains the best in the domestic circuit, having kept a clean sheet in 8 of their last 9 La Liga matches.

- Barcelona are undefeated in 16 of their last 17 away matches against Valencia in all competitions.

- Having suffered a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Mallorca last time out, Valencia could endure back-to-back home defeats for the first time since October 2016.

- There have been over 2.5 goals involved in 7 of Valencia’s last 8 La Liga games, while 13 of the last 14 league meetings between these two have seen both teams find the back of the net. So, goals could well be on the cards.

- Valencia have only won three of their last 30 league meetings with Barça, and their 2-0 win in 2020 was their first at home to the Catalans since 2007. The other two victories were both at Camp Nou, 3-2 in 2014 and 2-1 in 2016

LAST FIVE MEETINGS

20/02/22 Valencia 1-4 Barça 

17/9/21   Barça 3-1 Valencia 

2/5/21     Valencia 2-3 Barça 

19/12/20 Barça 2-2 Valencia 

25/1/20    Valencia 2-0 Barça

TEAM NEWS.

Valencia

 Los Che have a fair share of injuries and will be missing some key players for this clash. 

Samu Castillejo, Jaume Domenech, Mouctar Diakhaby and Ilaix Moriba are all set to miss out. Yunus Musah is serving a one match suspension on Saturday. Due to contract logistics, Nico Gonzalez will not be playing against Barcelona.

Edison Cavani will likely lead the attack along with Justin Kluivert and Samuel Lino. Foulquierand Almeida will anchor the midfield with Guillamon, While Gaya, Cormet, Paulista and Correia will form the defense in front of Mamardashvili.

Barcelona

La Blaugrana remain without Araujo, Christensen, Depay and Roberto. After negative performances the last time out, Xavi will look to reshuffle the defense and midfield. Alonso, Busquets and Kessie are at risk of dropping out of the starting lineup. 

TerStegen will continue between the sticks. Balde has been imperious as Left back and will once again start, with Kounde, Garcia and Bellerin completing the defense. Gavi will likely start in Midfield alongside Pedri and DeJong. Robert Lewandowski will start of course. Dembele has made a strong argument to start at Right wing, with Fati likely to start at the left. 

Where And when  are Valencia vs Barcelona playing?

Location: Valencia, Spain

Stadium: Estadio Mestalla

Date: Saturday 29 October

Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST / 15:00 EST / 12:00 PST

VAR: Ignacio Iglesias Villanueva

Referee: Ricardo De Burgo Bengoetxea

CONCLUSION

Los Che have an effective attack that could cause a somewhat shaky Barça defense a few problems. One of the most aggressive teams in the league in terms of press, they'll be the fresher of the two sides and are roaring to get back to winning ways. 

Barcelona remain impressive in La Liga and are also looking for a big win after enduring another disappointing Champions League outing. It's going to be an eye catching game in which Barcelona look superior on paper and will want to make that count on the pitch.

UCL PREVIEW: BARCELONA VS BAYERN MUNICH

INTRODUCTION

Barcelona welcome the German giants to the Camp Nou for the penultimate game of the Champions League group stages.

Barcelona have continued their good form in La Liga with convincing wins over Villarreal and Athletic Club. Their Champions League form however, has been anything but desirable. While the last minute equalizer against Inter left a bit of hope, the Catalan giants steer into the real possibility that they'll be going to the Europa League for the second consecutive year, the second time in their history such a thing has happened. With a huge probability that their fate will be sealed before kick off, Barcelona may have nothing but pride to play for. 

Bayern Munich however, have had an illustrious champions league campaigns so far, scoring 13 and conceding 2 over 4 games. They'll be declared group winners with a positive result from this clash, and that's what they'll go for. They've also picked up their domestic form recently, looking poised to retake the number one spot any moment. 

INTERESTING STATS 

• Bayern are unbeaten in their last 32 Champions League group games (W29, D3)—a current competition record.
• Bayern have won 8 of their last 9 matches versus Barcelona in all competitions, and have won three of their five away games against them.
• Barcelona have lost their past five UEFA Champions League meetings against Bayern Munich, with scores of 3-2 (home), 8-2 (neutral ground), 3-0(away), 3-0 (home), and 2-0 (home)—their worst record against a particular opponent in the competition.
• If Barcelona loses this game, they will be eliminated from the UEFA Champions League group stage in back-to-back seasons for only the second time in their history.
• The Bavarians have not lost in four of their last five away games against Spanish opponents but did lose their previous such game against Villarreal in the quarter-finals last year.

TEAM NEWS

Barcelona

Xavi will remain without Araujo, Christensen, Depay and Roberto, who dislocated his shoulder in the game against Athletic Club. Gavi, who had to be subbed off in the first half against the Basques has been deemed fit to partake in this clash. Xavi will have no option than to field a strong lineup for this one, regardless of what happens in Milan.

The formation he will use however, is up for debate. We saw him deploy a 4-4-2 over the weekend after using a 4-3-3 against the Yellow Submarines. At this point, only Xavi knows what he'll do. Regardless of the tactics, certain players are sure to play key roles: Lewandowski, Dembele, Pedri, Frenkie, Gavi, and Kounde and TerStegen. Balde might've also gotten himself into the starting lineup after a brilliant display against Athletic Club. With Roberto out, Bellerin could fill in at Right back. Ferran Torres has been improving greatly and will likely feature at some point, along with Ansu Fati.

Bayern Munich

The German giants arrive in Spain without Bouna Sarr, Lucas Hernandez, Leroy Sane and Manuel Neuer.

Everyone else is fit for this contest. Sadio Mane is expect to start after being benched against Hoffenheim, to be supported behind by Coman, Musiala and Gnabry. Chuopo-Moting might have to settle for a bench role, despite scoring 4 in his last 3 games. Kimmich and Goretska will form the double Pivots. Davies has recovered from the head injury sustained in Der Klassiker in time and is expected to start. Upamecano, Delight and possibly Pavard will complete the Backline, with Ulreich deputizing for Neuer.

Where and when are Barcelona vs Bayern Munich playing?

• Location: Barcelona, Spain
• Stadium: Camp Nou
• Date: Wednesday 26 October
• Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST / 15:00 EST / 12:00 PST
• VAR: Stuart Attwell (ENG)
• Referee: Anthony Taylor (ENG)

CONCLUSION.

  With their qualification already secured, Bayern Munich will play this game with no pressure but will full determination to win. Barcelona however, will either have a chance to save their campaign or be condemned to third prior to kick off. Either way, they have to play their hearts out. If this is to be the end, they might as well go out on style. No better way to do it than against who has become a real thorn for them recently.