MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 21:17:02| >> :120:13458:13458:
[monks data]
Valencia logo
La Liga
Nov 30, 2014 at 8pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

0-1

FT(HT: 0-0)
Busquets (94')

Preview: Valencia vs. Barcelona

Sports Mole previews the La Liga fixture between Valencia and Barcelona.

Barcelona travel to Valencia on Sunday knowing that they need to continue to rack up victories to keep pace with Real Madrid at the top of the table.

Last season's Champions League winners have won 15 matches in a row in all competitions to leave Barcelona trailing in second place, but coach Luis Enrique will know that victory at the Mestalla will send a message to their title rivals.

Enrique will make a number of alterations to the side that beat APOEL on Tuesday night, with Claudio Bravo, Xavi, Sergio Busquets and Neymar all expected to return to the starting lineup.

However, Barcelona have been dealt a blow with the news that Thomas Vermaelen will be missing for the majority of the season after being told that he requires thigh surgery.

Valencia began the season in impressive form, winning five of their first seven league games, but just two victories in five has seen them lose ground on Spain's big three.

However, despite suffering their second away defeat of the campaign at Levante last weekend, boss Nuno Espirito Santo will take confidence from his side possessing the best home record in the league, which has included a win over champions Atletico Madrid.

Santo could decide to introduce Dani Parejo into his starting lineup after he made a scoring appearance from the bench last week.

Valencia:

Recent form: WLWWDL

Possible starting lineup: Diego Alves, Barragan, Otamendi, Mustafi, Javi Fuego, Carles Gil, Jose Gaya, Andre Gomes, Negredo, Parejo, Rodrigo

Barcelona:

Form in La Liga: WWLLWW
Form in all competitions: LLWWWW

Possible starting lineup: Bravo, Pique, Mathieu, Alba, Alves, Busquets, Rakitic, Xavi, Neymar, Suarez, Messi

Sports Mole says: 1-2


ID:190504: cacheID:190504:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4177:No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates with his teammates after setting a new La Liga goalscoring record during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs Sevilla FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on November 22, 2014
Read Next:
Match Analysis: Barcelona 5-1 Sevilla
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!