Can Valencia take points of La Liga leaders Barcelona?

Valencia CF vs FC Barcelona - 25/01/2020

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Seventh-place Valencia host La Liga leaders Barcelona on Saturday afternoon at the Mestalla. Three massive points are at stake when these long-time rivals meet as second-place Real Madrid could overtake Barcelona if the league leaders drop points.

Barcelona have taken 43 points from 60 possible in La Liga. They have dropped points over the course of their last six games, however. Barcelona have picked up 12 of 18 points during that time giving Real Madrid a window of opportunity to move into first place.

Valencia have picked up 31 of 60 points possible in La Liga. Eleven of those 31 points have come in their last six fixtures. Los Che have posted a 3W-2D-1L record recording a +1-goal difference during that time. Valencia have won just once in their last four matches in La Liga, however.

The two sides met earlier this season at Camp Nou in September. Barcelona thrashed Valencia 5-2 during that game. Ansu Fati and Frenkie de Jong scored in the opening seven minutes before Barcelona scored three times more in the second half with Gerard Pique and Luis Suarez scoring.

Kevin Gameiro and Maximilano Gomez both scored goals for Valencia. The latter came in the 90th minute making the scoreline look closer than it was on the day.

New Barcelona manager Quique Setien nearly saw his side drop points last Sunday versus Granada. Lionel Messi once again saved Barcelona’s blushes with a 76th-minute goal. Striker Luis Suarez missed the fixture through injury.

Suarez is a long-term absentee. He has a knee injury and is not expected back until May. Ousmane Dembele is out of action due to injury. Dembele has a hamstring problem and won’t be back until February.

Midfielder Arthur could return for Barcelona versus Valencia after recovering from a groin issue. Marc-Andre ter Stegen could miss out due to a minor groin injury although he did play last weekend. Valencia will be without Daniel Parejo, who is suspended.

Valencia did defeat Barcelona last season in the Copa de Rey final. Los Che won the fixture 2-1 to lift the trophy. Last season also saw Valencia and Barcelona draw twice in La Liga.

Valencia will be up for the fixture despite losing in their last La Liga match versus Mallorca 4-1. Los Che played well versus Barcelona last term and should be able to get points off of Barcelona.

Saturday’s game should be a low-scoring affair with under 2.5 goals scored. Barcelona are not hitting the heights they once did and Valencia will be able to gain a draw from the fixture at home.

Home team
Away team

Probability %

1X2

Pred

Correct score

Avg. goals

Weather conditions

Coef.

Score

Live
coef.

Es1

Valencia CF FC Barcelona 25/01/2020 16:00

243937

X

1 - 1

2.92

10°

4.30

4.85 4.30 1.67 -1 1 1

FT

2 - 0(0 - 0)

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- - -