Match Preview for Barcelona v Valencia
Barcelona play their first house recreation of the season on Sunday as they host Valencia, although it is not going to be within the surrounds of a redeveloped Camp Nou.
Delays in ending the revamp of Barca’s historic house, the place they haven’t performed because the finish of the 2022-23 season, led the Blaugrana to play their first three video games of their LaLiga title defence away from house.
However with their return to Camp Nou reportedly now set to be pushed again to October and their lease on the Olympic Stadium having expired, Barca are set to tackle Valencia at Estadi Johan Cruyff, the 6,000 capability house of their B workforce.
It had initially been determined there could be no away followers within the stadium, prompting a livid response from Valencia.
Barca have since gone again on that call, allowing 290 Valencia followers to attend the sport, through which the guests shall be hoping to maneuver degree on factors with a shock win over the champions.
The final fixture earlier than the worldwide break noticed Barca drop factors as they have been held to a 1-1 draw by Rayo Vallecano, a fixture that featured controversy as Lamine Yamal’s first-half penalty couldn’t be reviewed resulting from a fault with VAR.
Barca have been removed from convincing to date within the league. Hansi Flick’s males began with a 3-0 win over nine-man Mallorca, however then wanted to return from 2-0 right down to beat Levante 3-2 previous to the draw with Rayo.
These performances might give hope to Carlos Corberan’s Valencia, who’ve taken 4 factors from their opening three video games.
Nonetheless, after shedding this similar fixture 7-1 final season, Valencia will know they face an uphill activity even in a a lot much less intimidating area than Camp Nou or the Olympic Stadium.
Barca additionally beat Valencia 5-0 en path to Copa del Rey glory final season, and Corberan is keen to make use of these humiliations as gasoline for an upset.
“We’re attempting to remodel that ache into anger and motivation to indicate that these two video games aren’t going to symbolize Valencia,” Corberan stated.
On the difficulty of the stadium, he added: “It’s an atypical scenario as a result of the stadium is often identified upfront, and the Federation and La Liga set guidelines and have to make sure these guidelines are adopted.
“What I’ve achieved is concentrate on ourselves, whatever the subject we’re taking part in on.”
Crew information for Barcelona v Valencia
Barca have some points in midfield, with Frenkie de Jong (thigh) and Gavi (knee) each unavailable. Full-back Alejandro Balde will even miss out. Valencia don’t have any harm issues heading into the sport.
Predicted line-ups for Barcelona v Valencia
Barcelona: Joan Garcia; Kounde, Eric Garcia, Cubarsi, Martin; Pedri, Casado; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Torres
Valencia: Agirrezabala; Tarrega, Diakhaby, Copete; Foulquier, Guerra, Santamaria, Gaya; Lopez, Danjuma, Rioja
How one can watch Barcelona v Valencia
Barcelona v Valencia kicks off at 8pm UK time on Sunday. It will likely be broadcast on Premier Sports activities 1 and can be accessible on Premier Sports activities Participant, Amazon Prime Video and LaLiga TV. Bet365 prospects can watch the sport on-line or by way of the Bet365 app.
