The Estadio de Mestalla is set to witness an intense battle as Valencia and Barcelona face off in La Liga on December 16, 2023. Here is preview of the match.
Both teams are grappling with challenges, with Valencia winless in their last four league games and Barcelona enduring two consecutive defeats.
As it stands, Valencia holds the 11th position with 19 points from 16 matches, while defending champions Barcelona sit fourth with 34 points.
Team news indicates that Valencia will miss key players like Jose Gaya, Andre Almeida, Gabriel Paulista, and Javi Guerra due to injuries and suspensions. The team is expected to adopt a 4-4-2 formation, emphasizing a solid defense and utilizing width for attacking opportunities.
Barcelona, facing the absence of Gavi, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Inigo Martinez, and Marcos Alonso, may witness the return of Frenkie de Jong.
Their likely 4-3-3 formation sees Inaki Pena in goal, supported by a defensive line featuring Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, and Joao Cancelo.
The midfield could include Pedri, de Jong, and Ilkay Gundogan, with an attacking trio of Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, and Joao Felix.
In terms of recent form, Barcelona suffered a 3-2 defeat to Royal Antwerp in the Champions League and a 4-2 loss to Girona in La Liga.
Despite these setbacks, they secured the top spot in their Champions League group. Historically, Barcelona has dominated the head-to-head record, winning 31 out of 59 matches against Valencia.
Analysis suggests that Valencia may focus on a solid defense and effective counterattacks, while Barcelona is likely to control possession and capitalize on their attacking prowess.
Both teams exhibit vulnerabilities in defense, pointing to the potential for a high-scoring encounter. Predictions lean towards Barcelona, with expectations of a 2-1 victory.
Despite the closeness of the match, Barcelona’s superior quality may provide them with the advantage. Football enthusiasts are in for an exciting clash between these La Liga contenders.
