LA LIGA PREVIEW: BARCELONA VS VALENCIA

The Catalans once again have the chance to go 10 points clear, this time likely temporarily though.

Following the impressive win at the Bernabeu a few days ago, the league leaders turn their attention back to La Liga as they host a struggling Valencia side. Xavi showed his pragmatism in the latest edition of El Clasico, adapting to the current condition of the squad to grind out a crucial win, in the first leg of the Copa del Rey Semis, which has been the norm for Barcelona this season anyways. That win should give them the confidence to continue their winning run after experiencing a bit of a rough patch recently.

On any other day, Valencia would fancy their chances at the Camp Nou, following their 1-0 win over top 4 contenders Real Sociedad, but their current status, coupled with that of their hosts, makes this an uphill battle for them. Any side fighting to stay up should never be taken for granted however, especially at this moment in the season when anyone can be punished. We expect them to keep fighting, but what are their chances of getting anything out of this game?

INTERESTING STATS

- Barcelona have not lost in their last six La Liga home games against Valencia

 - Barcelona are undefeated in 33 of their last 37 matches against Valencia in all competitions.

- Barcelona have scored at least two goals in five of their last six home matches against Valencia in all competitions.

- Valencia are without a clean sheet in their last five games in this fixture.

- Barcelona are are yet to taste defeat at home in La Liga this season.

- Valencia have picked up just six points on the road in the league this season.

Last five meetings

29/10/22 Valencia 0-1 Barça (Lewandowski)

20/02/22 (LIGA) Valencia 1-4 Barça (Aubameyang 2, F de Jong, Pedri)

17/9/21 (LIGA) Barça 3 (Ansu Fati, Memphis, Coutinho) Valencia 1

2/5/21 (LIGA) Valencia 2-3 Barça (Messi 2, Griezmann)

19/12/20 (LIGA) Barça 2 (Messi, Araujo) Valencia 2

TEAM NEWS

Barcelona

Xavi still remains short of attacking options due to the absence of Lewandowski and Dembele, hence his reason for lifting a thing or two out of the Diego Simeone playbook at the Bernabeu. The good thing is, both are close to a return, just like Pedri, another player who has been sorely missed. Andreas Christensen has shaken off his ankle discomfort and is back in contention. Gavi and Xavi will miss this clash due to accumulation of yellow cards.

We expect a similar lineup to the Clasico due to the options available. Christensen should replace Alonso in the defense and Ansu Fati should replace Gavi up front. The midfield trio of Busquets, DeJong and Kessie performed admirably on Thursday and will feature once more, although Sergi Roberto could replace the ivorian.

Valencia

As for Los Che, Gabriel Paulista, Marcos de Sousa, Jose Gaya, Edinson Cavani, Nico Gonzalez and Jaume Domenech will miss the contest through injury.

Paulista picked up a leg problem against Real Sociedad last time out, which is likely to lead to Eray Comert coming into the middle of the defence.

Hugo Duro and Samuel Lino could be joined by Samu Castillejo in the final third of the field, while Hugo Guillamon is likely to feature in central midfield on Sunday afternoon.

Where and when are Barcelona vs Valencia playing?

Location: Barcelona, Spain

Stadium: Camp Nou

Date: Sunday 5 March

Kick-off Time: 15:15 GMT / 10:15 ET / 07:15 PT, 16:15 🇳🇬

Referee: Javier Alberola Rojas

Barcelona know their slip up against Almeria was more than a warning about complacency, and they'll look to avoid that this weekend.

Both teams come into this game on the back of a morale boosting 1-0 win, which could make for a tricky contest, but the Catalans, as always, will remain favored in this tie.

COPA DEL REY PREVIEW: REAL MADRID VS BARCELONA

The El Clasico trilogy starts today! Who comes out on top?

Barcelona are back in Copa del Rey action. As the most successful team in the competition, they're gunning for yet another final. Their form of recent hasn't been the best, suffering two consecutive losses this past week. But if there's any game that can motivate the team to get back to winning ways, it's the Clasico at the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid, unlike their rivals, have experienced a bit of an upswing in form recently. They were unable to follow their trashing of Liverpool with a win in the Madrid Derby however. Still lagging 7 points behind Barcelona in the league, last week's defeat of the Catalans at Almeria will make Los Blancos wonder if La Liga has truly slipped from their grasps. But they'll want to start with a victory in the Clasico.

INTERESTING STATS

-Real Madrid have not last lost a match at home since April 2022. Their last defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu came against Chelsea in the Champions League.

- Barcelona’s 18-game unbeaten run came to an end when they lost in the second leg of the Europa League knockout against Manchester United. Currently, they are on a two-game losing streak.

- Real Madrid and Barcelona have already met twice in the ongoing season. Real Madrid managed to win the league fixture at home while the Blaugrana won in the Spanish Super Cup final.

- Barcelona have not conceded a goal in their last two Copa del Rey matches.

Los Blancos have found the back of the net on six occasions in their last two Copa del Rey outings.

TEAM NEWS

REAL MADRID

Carlo Ancelotti will once again be without the services of Ferland Mendy, who is out injured. David Alaba will also miss this fixture because of the injury that he picked up in their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first-leg win over Liverpool.

Rodrygo and Tchouameni have made recoveries from their injuries and will be available for selection.

Thibaut Courtois will be in goal once again. The Real Madrid boss is expected to start with an unchanged back four. Dani Carvajal and Nacho will be the full-backs, while Eder Militao will pair up with Antonio Rudiger as the centre-backs.

Tchouameni and Modric will start alongside Toni Kroos in the midfield. And Federico Valverde will start as the right winger. The manager will surely start with Valverde because he is pretty aware of the importance he will have.

Valverde will be expected to drop back and make it 4-4-2 when Real Madrid defend. And, he has the legs to do it throughout the 90 minutes. Vinicius Junior will start on the left, while captain Karim Benzema will lead the line.

Barcelona

Xavi's injury list unfortunately keeps growing. Adding to Pedri and Dembele, Lewandowski has suffered a hamstring injury and is expected to be sidelined for the next couple of weeks. Andreas Christensen also reportedly has ankle discomfort and his participation at the Bernabeu is in question. Ansu Fati however, has made full recovery from a knee contusion and is available for selection.

Nevertheless, Xavi still has formidable weapons at his disposal. TerStegen is sure to start in goal. Eric Garcia or Marcos Alonso may take Christensen's spot in the backline that'll include Araujo, Kounde and Balde.

The midfield is where things get interesting. Pablo Torre has shown cause to be given more minutes. DeJong, Kessie, Gavi and Roberto are options, although it's difficult to predict how the midfield will lineup in Pedri's absence.

Barça are surprisingly short of attacking options. Raphinha, Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati and Angel Alcaron are the only options and will ahve to be at their clinical bests with any chances that may fall to them.

Where are Real Madrid vs Barcelona playing?

Location: Madrid, Spain

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu

Date: Thursday 2 March

Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT 21:00 🇳🇬

Referee: Jose Luis Munuera Montero

VAR: Jose Luis Gonzalez Gonzalez

El Clasico is always about passion, who want to win it the most. Team form leading to games like this aren't the best predictors of outcome.

What we expect is an entertaining clash involving two teams desperate for an upswing in momentum, a positive way to begin the month.

Let's go.