Liberation blow – or worsening of the Barça crisis?
Part I of the three finals for Ronald Koeman, that’s how you could title FC Barcelona’s clash with Valencia CF on matchday 8 of La Liga. Surprisingly, the Barça coach was allowed to stay in office despite a 2-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid, but those responsible at FC Barcelona were quick to make it clear that the games against Valencia, Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League and the Clasico against Real Madrid are essential – also and especially for Koeman.
Sunday evening is the first key match for Koeman, a win is urgently needed, anything else would be another bitter pill for the beleaguered Catalans, who have taken a beating lately.
In home games, however, they are still (clear) favourites, and that is also the case before Barcelona against Valencia, as the betting odds make clear.
If you bet on a home win for the Blaugrana, you will get odds of 1.50 for Barcelona against Valencia – that is more than usual in the past. In the clash of the table neighbours, the favourite tip is worth a reasonable amount, considering that the Camp Nou has been a fortress for years, with few exceptions, where visiting teams – especially in La Liga – tend to take little with them.
Especially in a possible combination bet it can make sense to bet on the Catalans – as long as you believe they can start furiously from the international break in Koeman’s three final matches.
Barcelona – statistics & current form
There are, of course, reasons to doubt the Blaugrana’s performance. Such as: the last two results. For FC Barcelona supporters, these read brutally: 0:2 in the league at champions Atletico Madrid, 0:3 in the Champions League at Benfica Lisbon.
The international break came just at the right time for the reeling FC Barcelona – and even more so for coach Koeman. The fact that he is still in charge came as quite a surprise. The injury plight was one of the reasons why President Joan Laporta is giving the Dutchman another chance – because important key players are gradually coming back bit by bit.
Fresh attacking forces for Ronald Koeman
Ansu Fati could be back on the pitch for the first time against Valencia, and new signing Sergio Agüero has also returned to training this week, scoring in a training test match. It is quite possible that Agüero will get a few minutes of action as a substitute. Koeman’s offensive options are improving, especially in the forward line, where Barça was and is still thin and had enormous problems – the two goalless defeats recently confirm this statistically.
Even Memphis Depay, who had been virtually on his own lately and had fallen into a hole after a good start, was able to boost his self-confidence with a brace for the Dutch national team. In view of this, it may be worth picking a bet on Barcelona against Valencia in which Barça score.
A convincing win with a couple of goals, it would make Koeman’s life easier and calm the crisis mood at the Catalans (for now). For us, it is obvious to give the prediction of whatever kind on the home side for Barcelona against Valencia – even if one should by no means make the mistake of underestimating Valencia.
Predicted Barcelona line-up:
Ter Stegen – Roberto, Piqué, Garcia, Alba – Busquets, F. De Jong, Gavi – Fati, L. De Jong, Depay
Last matches played by Barcelona:
Valencia – Statistics & current form
The Valancians have already proven this season that they are not only fundamentally uncomfortable to play against, but also that they have regained their strength. Under their new coach José ‘Pepe’ Bordalas, Valencia are showing exactly what you would expect from a Bordalas team.
A lot of running and fighting strength, bite and a generally uncomfortable style that regularly makes life difficult for the opponents. Barcelona’s arch-rival Real Madrid could also sing a song about this recently. Although the royals won their league match on Matchday 5 in Valencia 2-1, they did so by the skin of their teeth and also quite undeservedly – after going behind and through two very late goals in the final phase.
Valencia have been without a win for four games
Until then, Valencia had even been unbeaten, this late as well as bitter defeat then pulled the plug on the bats a little bit, because since then Valencia has not been able to win four games in a row. While a 3-1 defeat in Sevilla is neither a disgrace nor unexpected, the subsequent draws against Athletic Bilbao (1-1) and at Cadiz (0-0) are more likely to be labelled disappointments.
Against Barça, Valencia have nothing to lose as underdogs – you can also expect typical Bordalas football at the Camp Nou. The Valencians will stand well defensively, have little of the ball and foul a lot, as well as try to exploit Barça’s traditional counter-defensive weakness through switching situations.
Despite the expected defensive alignment, a goal from the visitors would be anything but surprising, which is why we think it makes sense to bet on Barcelona against Valencia. After all, Valencia have scored in seven of their eight games this season – and even scored one more goal than Barça themselves (twelve compared to eleven, albeit with one more game).
Predicted line-up of Valencia:
Cillessen – Foulquier, Paulista, Alderete, Toni Lato – Racic, Guillamon, Musah, Wass – Marcos André, Guedes
Last matches played by Valencia:
Barcelona – Valencia Direct comparison / H2H balance
Barcelona vs Valencia is an absolute traditional La Ligas duel. This clash has already taken place 172 times. Unsurprisingly, Barça have won the majority of the games, namely 84 victories (with 43 Valencia wins and 45 draws).
Recently, however, the Catalans have found it difficult to hold their own against Valencia. Barça have only won two of their last seven direct encounters. There have been plenty of goals in the encounters between the two teams. In the last ten encounters, 33 goals were scored and both teams scored in seven of the ten matches.
So it can be worth looking for the odds on the Both to Score and the Over 2.5 for Barcelona vs. Valencia.
Barcelona – Valencia Tip
Will Barcelona manage to break free or will the Blaugrana’s crisis actually worsen? On Sunday evening at 9 pm, this question will be answered.
We once again believe in a turbulent game, as has been the case between these teams more often recently. Goals, hectic, goalmouth scenes are to be expected.
Bottom line, however, we believe Barça will have the better end in their favour – after all, the Blaugrana not only have a home game, but also one without crowd restrictions. Valencia will be able to hold up well, but in the end we give our prediction for Barcelona vs Valencia: Barça will win and both will score.
