Match Preview for Barcelona v Valencia
Barcelona play their first residence recreation of the season on Sunday as they host Valencia, although it won’t be within the surrounds of a redeveloped Camp Nou.
Delays in ending the revamp of Barca’s historic residence, the place they haven’t performed for the reason that finish of the 2022-23 season, led the Blaugrana to play their first three video games of their LaLiga title defence away from residence.
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 residence of their B staff.
It had initially been determined there can 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 can be hoping to maneuver stage on factors with a shock win over the champions.
The final fixture earlier than the worldwide break noticed Barca drop factors as they had 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 because of a fault with VAR.
Barca have been removed from convincing up to now 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 all the way 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.
Nevertheless, after shedding this similar fixture 7-1 final season, Valencia will know they face an uphill job even in a a lot much less intimidating enviornment 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 gas for an upset.
“We’re attempting to rework that ache into anger and motivation to point out that these two video games aren’t going to signify Valencia,” Corberan stated.
On the difficulty of the stadium, he added: “It’s an atypical state of affairs as a result of the stadium is often recognized prematurely, and the Federation and La Liga set guidelines and have to make sure these guidelines are adopted.
“What I’ve accomplished is concentrate on ourselves, whatever the discipline we’re taking part in on.”
Workforce 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 may 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
Learn how to watch Barcelona v Valencia
Barcelona v Valencia kicks off at 8pm UK time on Sunday. It is going to be broadcast on Premier Sports activities 1 and can also be obtainable on Premier Sports activities Participant, Amazon Prime Video and LaLiga TV. Bet365 prospects can watch the sport on-line or through the Bet365 app.
