Valencia vs Barcelona
Xavi’s Barcelona head to Valencia on Sunday in a La Liga clash to set the pulses racing as the Blaugrana try to speed up their transition and Valencia attempt to arrest their decline.
Since the arrival of their former playing star as head coach, Barca have shown signs of recovery and there has been an overhaul in playing staff and they look, at least, set to take hold of a top four spot.
But Xavi knows full well that the Mestalla is one of the most hostile environments in football and a red-hot welcome is on the horizon.
Valencia are on the back of a 2-1 defeat away to Alaves while Barcelona were in Europa League action on Thursday night, drawing with Napoli and that followed a 2-2 draw with Espanyol last weekend.
The Mestalla Stadium is never an easy place to go, but if Barcelona can keep the passionate home crowd quiet, then they could escape with a good result.
Talking Points
Gil can spark Valencia
A return of just two points from the last five games has dropped Valencia six points adrift of the top seven places and down to 12th place in the league table. That poor run of La Liga 2022 results has made the fans restless and that edginess can transfer itself onto the pitch.
Head coach Pepe Bordalas has reacted by bringing in Spurs winger Bryan Gil on loan just six months after Tottenham had signed the 21-year-old from Sevilla for a princely sum of £25-M. The talented wide man has struggled to settle in North London but he looks at home in Valencia and, while there is no option to buy, Bordelas hopes a deal can be done in due course.
Since his return to La Liga, Gil has made three impressive appearances – two in the Copa del Rey, a win over Cadiz and a draw with Athletic Bilbao, and one in La Liga.
Gil joins a team with some highly-rated players who have the ability to propel Los Che back up towards the European places.
Goncalo Guedes is having an outstanding campaign with nine goals and five assists, while his midfield partner Carlos Soler has seven goals and striker Hugo Duro has six.
With 42 points to play for until the end of the campaign, Valencia have ample opportunity to rescue their season if they can get back on the winning trail.
Xavi puts faith in Barcelona new boys
Xavi dipped into the transfer market in January, bringing three Premier League stars to the Camp Nou and they all featured in European competition on Thursday.
Having dropped into the Europa League, the Blaugrana had to watch the recent Champions League draw with envy and then they had a tough play-off draw in Europe’s second competition against Serie A high-flyers Napoli.
The Catalans started with Adama Traore, Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, and Ferran Torres in the 1-1 draw with the Azzurri and it was ex-Manchester City man Torres who rescued a draw with a second half penalty.
Torres has made two assists in his three league appearances for the Blaugrana and he is capable of playing through the middle or out wide, which Xavi may opt for if he thinks Aubameyang can spearhead the attack.
And Traore’s pace has already had La Liga defences chasing shadows. If the Wolves man can learn how to shoot straight then he’d be unstoppable.
The assists provided by Torres have taken some of the weight of expectation from the shoulders of wing-backs Sergino Dest and Jordi Alba who have made three and five in this campaign.
There is plenty of creativity in this side and if Aubameyang can take on the scoring responsibility left by the retirement of Sergio Aguero, then Barca could be on the way up.
According to the latest La Liga 2022 betting odds, Barcelona are third favourites to lift the title behind Real Madrid and Sevilla. While the recent Barcelona derby ended in a frustrating 2-2 draw for Barca, they are unbeaten in four and hold the fourth place ahead of Atletico Madrid on goal difference.
But with a game in hand. Xavi has third placed Real Betis in his sights. Los Verdiblancos are four points ahead having played a game more.
The Catalans will be without injured top scorer Memphis Depay and defender Samuel Umtiti while Gerard Pique was red carded last week, so Eric Garcia is set to continue at centre-back alongside Ronald Araujo.
History
Barcelona have had the better of the head-to-heads, winning 34 of the 66 meetings with Valencia over the past three decades, while Los Che have won 14 and there have been 18 draws.
Barca have won the last two encounters, running out with a 3-1 victory at the Camp Nou this season and edging a five-goal thriller at the Mestalla last term.
Ansu Fati, Memphis Depay, and Philippe Coutinho were Barca’s scorers when they picked up their three points in October, while Lionel Messi scored a brace at the Mestalla last term and Carlos Soler was on the score sheet for Valencia.
Los Che’s home record this season at four wins, six draws, and two defeats is comparable to the Blaugrana’s away record of three wins, seven draws, and two defeats.
Betting Tip
 |
 | Valencia vs Barcelona | 1X2 Draw @ 3.40 |
| February 20, 23:15 (GMT+8) |
The hosts are at SBOTOP odds of 3.40 to win this huge clash with Barcelona just odds on at 1.99.
I can see goals at both ends. Valencia’s creative players can exploit a Barca defence without Pique, and Torres will continue to create chances for the Blaugrana. So for an alternative bet, Over 2.50 goals at 1.85 is a handy option.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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