After enduring a poor 2023/24 campaign, Barcelona begin a new season under new management.
Hansi Flick replaced club legend Xavi Hernandez in the dugout following a successful spell at Bayern Munich and a less fruitful spell with the German national team. The 59-year-old has had an entire summer to work with his squad – yes, the ones who could compete internationally – and will need to make immediate improvements on the field.
Barca's agonizing 3-0 defeat against Monaco would not have lifted spirits ahead of this Saturday's trip to Valencia but the Catalan giants are still poised for a winning start to 2024/25.
Valencia just finished in the top half last season under Ruben Baraja and a quiet transfer window will dampen expectations of an improved campaign. Saturday's hosts have not beaten Barca since January 2020 but earned a respectable 1-1 draw in this fixture last term.
Here it is 90 min Valencia vs Barca clash preview.
Valencia vs Barcelona H2H Record (Last Five Matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Valencia |
Barcelona |
|---|---|
|
Valencia 3-2 Eintracht Frankfurt – 10/08/24 |
Barcelona 0-3 Monaco – 12/08/24 |
|
Leeds United 2-1 Valencia – 03/08/24 |
Barcelona 2-2 Milan – 07/08/24 |
|
Valencia 0-0 Levante – 31/07/24 |
Real Madrid 1-2 Barcelona – 04/08/24 |
|
PSV Eindhoven 2-1 Valencia – 27/07/24 |
Man City 2-2 Barcelona – 31/07/24 |
|
Valencia 0-1 Deportivo Alaves – 24/07/24 |
Sevilla 1-2 Barcelona – 26/05/24 |
|
The country |
TV channel/live streaming |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
Premier Sports 2, Premier Sports Player, LaLigaTV |
|
United States |
fuboTV, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes, ESPN App |
|
Canada |
TSN+ |
Valencia were without a number of players during Barca's visit, including left-back Jose Gaya, who is still injured with a hamstring injury. Elsewhere in defence, Mouctar Diakhaby is out for the foreseeable future following a horrific knee injury he suffered against Real Madrid last season.
Giorgi Mamadashvili has been linked with Liverpool in recent days but is yet to start between the sticks for Valencia, while striker Hugo Duro will be aiming to continue his impressive 2023/24 form which saw him score 13 goals in La Liga.
Valencia predicted to face Barcelona (4-4-2): Mamadashvili; Correia, Tarega, Yarek, Vazquez; Almeida, Guillamon, Pepelu, Tejon; Mir, Duro.
Barca are missing five key figures for their opening match against Valencia, including midfield trio Gavi, Frenkie de Jong and Pedri. The latter is very close to a return and could be seen before the end of the month following a knee injury at Euro 2024.
In the background, Ronald Araujo is not in Flick and will be out for a few months after surgery. Up top, Ansu Fati, who spent last season on loan at Brighton, will be sidelined with a foot injury.
Although he recently signed for RB Leipzig, Euro 2024 star Dani Olmo is currently not registered in the Barca squad and will not be able to face Valencia. The same applies to Inigo Martinez and Pau Victor.
Barcelona predicted to face Valencia (4-2-3-1): Ter Stegen; Fort, Kounde, Christensen, Balde; Gundogan, Casado; Yamal, Torre, Raphinha; Lewandowski.
A Barca squad weakened by injuries, tired internationals and unsigned players will give Valencia hope of a surprise header at the start of the Flick season. They caused problems for Barca last season, scoring three goals in two games and picking up a point at Mestalla.
However, Barca's attacking quality should see them over the line, with the young players likely to be included in the XI having shown enough in pre-season to be trusted. Robert Lewandowski could once again make the difference, as he was when he scored the perfect goal in the last meeting between the two clubs.
Prediction: Valencia 1-2 Barcelona
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