Barcelona’s title hopes were dealt a huge blow on Wednesday as Granada came from behind to beat Ronald Koeman’s side at Camp Nou.
Next up, third-place Barca visit the Mestalla on Sunday, aiming to close the two-point gap on frontrunners Atletico Madrid.
🎦 Con la mente puesta en el #ValenciaBarça#JuntsAnemAMUNT#AllToPlayFor pic.twitter.com/taqAmDvRD4— Valencia CF 🦇🍊🌊 (@valenciacf) April 28, 2021
🎦 Con la mente puesta en el #ValenciaBarça#JuntsAnemAMUNT#AllToPlayFor pic.twitter.com/taqAmDvRD4
At the other end of the La Liga table, Valencia find themselves fourteenth – just six points clear of the relegation zone.
Valencia head into Sunday’s clash on a five-match winless run, having recorded three draws and two defeats in that time.
Despite all their woes, it is worth remembering that Valencia are unbeaten in their last eight home games in La Liga.
Given that Valencia have only one eight of their 33 matches this term, it is hardly surprising that they are still in danger of getting relegated.
Having recorded 12 draws, only one team – Valladolid – have drawn more games in Spain’s top-flight this season.
Meanwhile, Barcelona suffered a damaging 2-1 defeat to Granada on Wednesday, meaning they have lost two of their last four league matches.
Barca had the chance to overtake Atletico in midweek, but they ended up throwing away their lead and remaining two points behind the leaders.
On a brighter note, Barcelona have only lost two of their previous 23 La Liga games since early December.
Lionel Messi scored his 26th La Liga goal of the season last time out, but his best efforts were ultimately in vain.
Still, Barca can take confidence from the fact that they have only lost four of their previous 33 meetings with Valencia in all competitions.
Head-to-head: Valencia and Barcelona produced a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture back in December. Unsurprisingly, Messi got on the scoresheet on that occasion.
That said, Valencia have only lost one of their last six games against Barca, recording two wins and three draws along the way.
Team news: Valencia are currently without first-choice goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen, who is sidelined with a knee injury.
On the flip side, Barcelona trio Martin Braithwaite, Philippe Coutinho and Moussa Wague are all out injured.
Given that four of the last five meetings between Valencia and Barcelona have produced over 2.5 goals, we are likely to see plenty of action on Sunday.
With that in mind, Forebet predicts that Barcelona claim a high-scoring victory over Valencia, with both sides getting on the scoresheet.