Barcelona is set to host Valencia at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Sunday, January 26, 2025, with kickoff at 23:00
Recent Form:
- Barcelona: Currently third in LaLiga, Barcelona has experienced a dip in domestic form, securing only six points from their last eight league matches. Despite this, they’ve excelled in other competitions, recently achieving a thrilling 5-4 victory over Benfica in the Champions League.
- Valencia: Struggling in 19th place, Valencia has shown signs of improvement under new manager Carlos Corberán, remaining unbeaten in their last four games and displaying enhanced defensive solidity.
Team News:
- Barcelona: Coach Hansi Flick is contemplating lineup changes to maintain squad freshness. Midfielder Pedri remains a key player, while the goalkeeping position is under scrutiny, with a decision pending between Wojciech Szczesny and Iñaki Peña.
- Valencia: Under Corberán’s guidance, Valencia has tightened their defense and will aim to capitalize on Barcelona’s recent domestic struggles.
Prediction:
Given Barcelona’s superior quality and home advantage, they are favored to secure a victory. However, Valencia’s recent defensive improvements could pose challenges. A predicted scoreline is a 2-0 win for Barcelona.
Betting Tips:
- Barcelona to Win: Considering their home advantage and overall squad strength, backing Barcelona for a win is advisable.
- Under 2.5 Goals: Given Valencia’s recent defensive resilience, this match might see fewer goals than usual.
This fixture presents an opportunity for Barcelona to regain momentum in LaLiga, while Valencia will be eager to continue their resurgence and climb out of the relegation zone.