Barcelona Vs Valencia Prediction: Barca Must End Bad Episodes In La Liga

JAKARTA - Barcelona will try to record their first win in La Liga since early December when they host Valencia on Sunday night 26 Janurai at Camp Nou.

Previously, the Catalan team had only won one of their last eight matches in La Liga, thus dropping to third in the standings, seven points behind Real Madrid leaders. Meanwhile, Valencia, who is ranked 19th, with only 16 points from 20 matches, will come to this match with high enthusiasm after a series of positive results.

Barcelona have just confirmed their place in the Champions League knockout round after a dramatic 5-4 win over Benfica. These results complement their success in other competitions, including winning the Spanish Super Cup after beating Real Madrid 5-2 in the final, and qualifying for the Copa del Rey quarter-finals with a 5-1 win over Real Betis.

However, their La Liga performance is slumping. Since the 5-1 win over Mallorca in early December, Barcelona have only won two draws against Real Betis and Getafe, and lost to Leganes and Atletico Madrid. Currently, they are five points behind Atletico Madrid in second and seven points from Real Madrid at the top of the standings.

Barcelona are the team with the highest number of goals in La Liga this season with 52 goals, but they are struggling to secure a win in the league. If bad results continue, their chances of winning the title could end early.

Valencia, on the other hand, have a record of three wins, seven draws, and 10 defeats from 20 matches. They are now in 19th position, four points from the safe zone.

Despite being in a difficult position, Valencia are unbeaten in their last four matches in all competitions. They won in the Copa del Rey against Eldense and Ourense CF, and recorded a 1-1 draw against Sevilla and a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad in La Liga.

However, Valencia has not beaten Barcelona in La Liga since January 2020, and last won at Camp Nou in April 2016. In the first meeting of the season, Barcelona narrowly won 2-1 at Mestalla.

Barcelona will lose some key players due to injury. Inigo Martinez, Marc Bernal, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are confirmed to be out of action, while Dani Olmo is still in doubt due to a calf injury that ruled him out against Benfica.

Inaki Pena is likely to return to fill the goalkeeper position after sitting on the bench against Benfica. In addition, Hansi Flick is expected to field an almost the same line-up as against Benfica.

Robert Lewandowski, who has scored six goals in four games against Valencia since joining Barcelona, will return to being a mainstay on the front lines.

Valencia is also facing the issue of player absence. Cristhian Mosquera was absent due to suspension, while Mouctar Diakhaby and Thierry Correia were sidelined due to injury.

Coach Carlos Corberan is likely to field the majority of players who appear against Real Sociedad. Yarek Gasiorowski, a talented young defender, is expected to join the starting XI to replace Mosquera. Hugo Duro, who has scored six goals in La Liga this season, will be the focus of Valencia's attack.

Barcelona will take advantage of the momentum of their Champions League win to return to winning ways in La Liga. However, Valencia, which is in good form, also has the opportunity to provide fierce resistance, especially with the spirit to get out of the relegation zone.

This match is predicted to be exciting with Barcelona as a favorite to get the three points, but Valencia has the potential to be surprising if they take advantage of opportunities well.

Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Pena, Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde, Casado, Pedri, Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha, Lewandowski

Valencia (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili, Foulquier, Tarrega, Gasiorowski, Gaya,Guerra, Barrenechea, D Lopez, Almeida, Rioja, Druro