Valencia has surprised many with their start to the 2023-24 Spanish top-flight campaign, suggesting they might be moving in the right direction after four lean seasons. However, Los Che’s upward momentum is diminishing, and their lackluster displays have pushed them away from European contention, currently sitting at 11th place with 19 points from 16 rounds.

Barcelona returns to domestic duties after a Champions League group stage defeat to Royal Antwerp, despite giving them the first three points. They are currently level on points with Porto, despite last season’s silverware in LaLiga. The team has been disappointing in the current campaign, with a seven-point gap behind Girona, who currently sits atop the table. Their title defense is heading in the wrong direction.

Valencia will face Barcelona without their defensive conductor, Jose Gaya, who has been absent due to muscle issues. Andre Almeida and Selim Amallah will be in the treatment room. Coach Ruben Baraja will not be able to use Gabriel Paulista and Javi Guerra, who will serve one-match suspensions and face a minimum two-match ban, respectively.

Valencia will be without key players like Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Inigo Martinez, and Marcos Alonso due to injury, and Gavi due to a torn cruciate ligament. Ronald Araujo and Joao Felix will return to the starting XI for Saturday’s match, while Frenkie de Jong is expected to recover from a fever.

Predicted lineups:

Valencia

Goalkeeper: Giorgi Mamardashvili
Defenders: Yarek Gasiorowski, Mouctar Diakhaby, Cristhian Mosquera, Thierry Correia
Midfielders: Fran Perez, Pepelu, Hugo Guillamon, Dimitri Foulquier
Forwards: Diego Lopez, Hugo Duro

Barcelona

Goalkeeper: Inaki Pena
Defenders: Joao Cancelo, Andreas Christensen, Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo
Midfielders: Pedri, İlkay Gundogan, Frenkie de Jong
Forwards: Joao Felix, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha

Valencia VS Barcelona (Last 6 matches)

• Valencia – 0 win
• Barcelona – 5 wins
• Draws – 1

Over all competition record

Spain – La Liga Stats

Valencia may struggle to score against Barcelona, who should secure a narrow 0-1 win.

Winning probability: Valencia – 19% , Draw – 23% , Barcelona – 58%

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