Valencia vs Barcelona: Preview and projected lineups
By Thuya Kyaw
Cesare Prandelli will make his home debut for Valencia as they host Barcelona
Newly appointed Cesare Prandelli will have his work cut out for him as his Valencia side will take on Barcelona at home this Saturday.
Los Che, who have won three out of last four matches, are looking better since sacking Pako Ayestaran. They currently sit at 14th in the league with three wins and five losses.
Meanwhile Barcelona will come into this match on top form after dismantling current Premier League leaders Manchester City 4-0 at home on Wednesday. They are fourth in the league with five wins, one draw, and two losses.
Paco Alcacer and Andre Gomes return to Valencia for the first time since leaving the club to join the Catalan giants in the summer. They might even be included in starting eleven due to short period of rest. While Munir El Haddadi and Martin Montoya have gone the opposite direction and are set to face their former club.
During the four meetings last season, two ended in a draw with Valencia getting one victory while Barcelona getting the other. The first meeting was in December when Los Che, under caretaker Voro Gonzalez Marco, held Barcelona to a 1-1 draw at home.
However, under the guidance of largely inexperienced Gary Neville, Valencia fell 7-0 to Barcelona at Camp Nou in a Copa del Rey fixture. The return leg in Mestalla resulted in another 1-1 draw.
In their last meeting back in April, Valencia managed to get three valuable points at Camp Nou by beating the Catalans 2-1 thanks to an Ivan Rakitic own goal and a Santi Mina strike.
After being absent from last match against Sporting Gijon due to injuries, both Nani and Eliaqium Mangala are set to return for this clash, although Guilherme Siqueira will still remain in sidelines.
The away side will have a harder time dealing with injuries, with Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, and Jasper Cillessen all injured. The good news for Blaugrana is that Sergi Roberto is finally fit enough to return and may be given a start on Saturday.
Matches between these two sides have always been competitive and feisty, and this one should not disappoint either as both clubs are currently in good form.
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It was announced that 55,000 seater Mestalla is officially sold out and Valencia will use home advantage to pressure the visitors. They are now a more defensive oriented side under Prandelli with Enzo Perez and Mario Suarez forming a double pivot in midfield while Ezequiel Garay and Mangala will shore up the back. They will look for quick counters from the wings and speedy forwards like Nani, Mina, Joao Cancelo, and Rodrigo can trouble the already weakened Barca defense.
While the away side can also be suffering from fatigue after playing a game just three days ago. They will come out with their usual 4-3-3 but are very likely to make a couple of changes to their starting eleven.
Overall, Valencia have enough quality to get a point if their defense can keep it tight at the back. MSN will be dangerous as always but on the other hand, Barcelona defense can be easily exposed and the match is likely to end up in a draw if the home side can take advantage of that.
Projected Line ups
Valencia (4-2-3-1) – Diego Alves; Gaya, Garay, Mangala, Montoya; Enzo Perez, Mario Suarez; Nani, Parajo, Cancelo; Rodrigo.
Barcelona (4-3-3) – Ter Stegen; Digne, Umtiti, Mascherano, Sergi Roberto; Busquets, Denis Suarez, Rafinha; Messi, Neymar, Suarez.