90min

Barcelona vs Valencia Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time, Team News

By Daniel Feliciano

Barcelona have had a rollercoaster of a season
Barcelona have had a rollercoaster of a season / David Ramos/Getty Images
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Barcelona will be aiming to move into the top four with a win over Valencia at the Camp Nou on Saturday afternoon.

Los Cules managed to beat table-topping Real Sociedad 2-1 in midweek thanks to goals from Jordi Alba and Frenkie de Jong. However they have only won six of their 12 league games so far this campaign.

Valencia are winless in their last four league games, although they did get a win in the Copa del Rey in midweek over Terrassa in extra-time. They currently sit in 13th in the table with just 14 points from 13 games.

Where to Watch

The Camp Nou will play host to a fourth consecutive Barcelona game
The Camp Nou will play host to a fourth consecutive Barcelona game / David Ramos/Getty Images

When Is Kick Off? Saturday 19 December
What Time Is Kick Off? 15:15 (GMT)
Where Is It Played? Camp Nou
TV Channel? La Liga TV(UK)

Team News

After a tough game in midweek, Barcelona go into this game with no fresh injury worries. Ansu Fati, Sergi Roberto, Ousmane Dembele and Gerard Pique are all still out injured, while Martin Braithwaite is expected to keep Philippe Coutinho out of the side. Clement Lenglet should return to the starting lineup too after missing the midweek game.

Valencia will welcome back Jose Gaya to the side following an injury lay-off, and he should come back into the side for Toni Lato, who has tested positive for COVID-19. Former Barcelona goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen is ruled out through injury, while Kevin Gameiro is also unavailable.

Predicted Lineups

Barcelona: ter Stegen; Dest, Araujo, Lenglet, Alba; De Jong, Busquets; Pedri, Griezmann, Braithwaite; Messi.

Valencia: Domenech; Wass, Paulista, Diakhaby, Gaya; Musah, Racic, Soler, Guedes; Vallejo, Gomez.

Recent Form

Jordi Alba was on the scoresheet against Real Sociedad
Jordi Alba was on the scoresheet against Real Sociedad / David Ramos/Getty Images

Barcelona have won their last two games on the bounce following a thrashing at home from Juventus. They did qualify from their Champions League group however, although the defeat to Juventus cost them top spot.

Valencia have won only three of their 13 league games so far this season and are really struggling for form. They were taken to extra-time by part-timers Terrassa in midweek, which is their only win in five games since beating Real Madrid thanks to a hat-trick of penalties.

Barcelona

Barcelona 2-1 Valencia (16/12)
Barcelona 1-0 Levante (13/12)
Barcelona 3-0 Juventus (8/12)
Cadiz 2-1 Barcelona (5/12)
Ferencvaros 0-3 Barcelona (2/12)

Valencia

Terrassa 2-4 Valencia (AET) (16/12)
Valencia 2-2 Athletic Bilbao (12/12)
Eibar 0-0 Valencia (7/12)
Valencia 0-1 Atletico Madrid (28/11)
Alaves 2-2 Valencia (22/11)

Prediction

Valencia seem to only turn up against the better teams this season, having recorded wins over Real Sociedad, and Real Madrid.

They're struggling for goals domestically right now with just four in their last four games but Barcelona have been incredibly frail defensively this season.

Barcelona's in-form attackers should cause more than enough problems
Barcelona's in-form attackers should cause more than enough problems / David Ramos/Getty Images

But when you have the likes of Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann in attack, then those defensive issues shouldn't really matter.

Overall, the quality in the Barcelona side and the poor form of Valencia's entire team should mean that the home side win this one comfortably.

Prediction: Barcelona 2-0 Valencia