Barcelona are back in La Liga on Sunday evening with their game against Valencia in Catalonia.
Hansi Flick’s title contenders enter this fight after a crazy Champions League game in Lisbon. Barca trailed Benfica 3-1 and 4-2 on Tuesday but stole victory at the crucial moment thanks to a goal from Raphinha. Their place in the round of 16 is secured ahead of the final league game against Atalanta.
However, they dropped more points in La Liga last week as Jose Bordalas’ Getafe once again proved to be more than just a nuisance. They have fallen even further behind leaders Real Madrid despite beating their Clasico rivals twice this season.
Valencia appear to have improved significantly under new coach Carlos Corberan, who was appointed at the end of 2024. The historically great club has been miserably led by Peter Lim and the danger of relegation is real.
Sunday’s visitors find themselves in the relegation zone but their performances since Corberan took over point to a resurgence for the team. Last week they beat Real Sociedad 1-0 at the Mestalla.
Here is 90 minutes Guide to Barcelona vs Valencia in La Liga.
Barcelona vs. Valencia H2H record (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
Barcelona | Valencia |
|---|---|
Benfica 4-5 Barcelona – 01/21/25 | Valencia 1-0 Real Sociedad – 01/19/25 |
Getafe – Barcelona 1-1 – 18.01.25 | Ourense 0-2 Valencia – 01/14/25 |
Barcelona – Real Betis 5-1 – 01/15/25 | Sevilla – Valencia 1-1 – 11/01/25 |
Real Madrid 2-5 Barcelona – 12/01/25 | Eldense 0-2 Valencia – 01/07/25 |
Athletic Club 0-2 Barcelona – 01/08/25 | Valencia – Real Madrid 1:2 – 03/01/25 |
country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | Premier Sports Players, LaLigaTV, Premier Sports 2 |
United States | ESPN+, fuboTV, ESPN App, ESPN Deportes |
Canada | TSN+ |
Given Wojciech Szczesny’s performance on Tuesday evening in Lisbon, it would be a big surprise if Inaki Pena wasn’t back between the posts on Sunday. Marc-Andre ter Stegen is missing due to a long-term injury.
Barca are also without Inigo Martinez and Marc Bernal, while Dani Olmo is a doubt with a calf problem.
Flick hasn’t changed too often in recent games and it’s unlikely there will be many changes on Sunday. The German will view next week’s Champions League clash with Atalanta as a better chance to offer up the rest of his squad.
Predicted line-up for Barcelona against Valencia (4-2-3-1): Pena; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Lewandowski.
Cristhian Mosquera has had a good season for Valencia despite the problems and his absence due to suspension on Sunday is a huge blow. Real Madrid are reportedly among the 20-year-old’s admirers, but the centre-back is unlikely to leave before the end of the transfer window.
Another young player, Yarek Gasiorowski, is expected to represent Mosquera in Catalonia.
Valencia will also be without Mouctar Diakhaby and Thierry Correia due to injuries.
Hugo Duro is the man Barca need to contain in attack. The Valencia striker has only scored six La Liga goals this season, but he was the match winner against Real Sociedad last week.
Expected line-up for Valencia against Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Tarrega, Gasiorowski, Gaya; Guerra, Barrenechea; Lopez, Almeida, Rioja; Duro.
Barcelona have shown their leadership is untouchable this season, but they have had far too much success against Flick’s team over the last month or so. So there is scope for an improving Valencia team to get a result in Catalonia.
Corberan has brought some order back to the struggling squad and they will make this game competitive. At the moment it doesn’t look like the hosts are keeping anyone in check.
Valencia forced Barcelona to win in August and it could be the same this weekend.