Valencia v Barcelona

[lippy]

This should be one of the most entertaining games of the Spanish season.

Valencia and Barcelona have a combined average of almost 3.5 goals per game this term and their last 4 successive meetings have seen at least 4 goals on each occasion.

The big problem for the hosts, of course, is David Villa’s absence. The Spanish striker is leading the ‘Pichichi’ golden ball race with 6 goals – 50% of his team’s total league strikes this season – so Unai Emery will be reliant on the pace of David Silva and Mata to cause the champions problems.

And an injury to captain Carlos Marchena also leaves a gaping hole at the back to further add to Los Che’s problems. His physical presence could have caused the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta problems but without him, the likes of Ever Banega, David Albelda and Ruben Baraja don’t have that same ability to disrupt the flow of Pep Guardiola’s side.

Barcelona have had most of their squad away playing International football so fatigue is one issue that Guardiola will have to address – particularly with Lionel Messi, who has faced two of the most intense World Cup qualifiers in the world with Argentina over the past week.

Nevertheless, the hosts are having to play the best team in Europe without their two key players so the balance of power is definitely with the visitors.


PREDICTION : BARCELONA TO WIN