La Liga champions Barcelona will visit Real Valladolid on Tuesday for La Liga’s round No 36. The Blaugrana are coming off a weekend defeat to Real Sociedad 2-1 at home.
The defeat came following Barcelona’s La Liga title win. Manager Xavi will want a response from the side on Tuesday night despite already winning the title.
⚡️ LIVE NOW! ⚡️Training session ahead of Tuesday's @LaLigaEN clash against Valladolid 👉 https://t.co/v28AM27Zzq pic.twitter.com/sjE5JZPTf8— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 22, 2023
⚡️ LIVE NOW! ⚡️Training session ahead of Tuesday's @LaLigaEN clash against Valladolid 👉 https://t.co/v28AM27Zzq pic.twitter.com/sjE5JZPTf8
Real Valladolid have everything to play for on Tuesday at home. La Pucela are 18th after 35 matches. Valladolid are chasing Getafe in the race for relegation survival. Goal difference has Valladolid in the bottom three.
La Pucela are on a five-match losing streak in La Liga ahead of matchday 36. A 2-0 defeat to Cadiz was Valladolid’s most recent result. Along with Real Valladolid, Espanyol are also chasing safety. Espanyol are one point from safety going into midweek.
Barcelona are a perfect six wins from the last six games versus Valladolid. Earlier this season, Barcelona romped to a 4-0 win at Camp Nou. Robert Lewandowski scored twice in the fixture, as Pedri and Sergi Roberto added goals.
Valladolid only kept 32.3% possession during the match. Barcelona out passed La Pucela 570-221. Real Valladolid will need to be far better on Tuesday night if they hope to get a point versus the Blaugrana.
Xavi will be without Pedri for the remainder of the season due to a thigh injury. Defender Ronald Araujo is also out of action following a calf injury.
Lewandowski leads the league in goals with 22. He scored 34% of Barcelona’s goals this season in the opening 35 matches. As good as Barcelona have been in front of goal, no other player has registered more than seven La Liga goals. Raphinha has seven assists to lead the team.
Valladolid are in danger of going back down to La Liga 2 at the end of the season. The club earned promotion to La Liga last season.
This season has been a struggle, as Valladolid scored the third-fewest goals (30) in 35 matches. They conceded the second-most goals at the same time (62).
On April 4, Real Valladolid sacked Pacheta and hired Paulo Pezzolano. The results have not improved under Pezzolano. Canadian Cyle Larin leads Valladolid in goals with seven this season.
Pezzolano will be without defender Martin Hongla due to a suspension. Defender Luis Perez is out with a muscle injury, and midfielder Selim Amallah will miss the game with a shoulder injury. Midfielder Anuar is a doubt following a ligament injury.
Barcelona cruised in the reverse fixture 4-0. Despite losing to Sociedad at the weekend, Barcelona should win once more against Valladolid, posting a 3-1 win.