Valencia vs Barcelona Prediction and Betting Tips: 10/1 fancy for Saturday night's La Liga clash
One of the standout games from La Liga’s long opening weekend is Barcelona’s visit to Valencia on Saturday.
The Catalan giants are aiming to dethrone Real Madrid and reclaim the Spanish title, but they have a potentially tricky opener.
The game kicks off at 8.30pm BST at Valencia’s Mestalla. The clash will be broadcast live in the UK on Premier Sports 1 and La Liga TV.
Valencia vs Barcelona Predictions
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Hansi Flick is set for his first La Liga game in charge of Barcelona, but he already has questions to answer. After a disastrous spell in charge of Germany, Flick is arguably fortunate to have landed a job as big as this.
However, Barca have their own issues. Xavi was left in limbo towards the end of the previous campaign and the club legend quickly abandoned his attempts to restore the style of old with their squad lacking the options to make it work.
Flick does have the benefit of taking charge just as a new crop of graduates arrive in the first team. Lamine Yamal is the poster boy of that after his Euro 2024 success, with Pedri, Gavi and Pau Cubarsi helping to make a homegrown spine.
The club is weighed down by some expensive, ageing stars and it’ll be on Flick to blend those groups together and he doesn’t have long to get it right.
Barca have largely the same squad as last season, especially given that new signing Dani Olmo isn’t expected to be registered in time for this game. Flick is also without Ansu Fati, Gavi and Frenkie de Jong for this trip.
As for Valencia, goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili is a big miss as he looks set to be on the move.
The Georgia ace is expected to miss this clash as a result, with the club’s European ambitions not being helped by a lack of incomings this summer.
Free transfer signing Stole Dimitrievski has been joined by loan additions Dani Gomez and Rafa Mir.
Valencia are starting the season weakened, with Mamardashvili set to be a big loss for the club. Dimitrievski has been signed as back-up, but he’s likely to start against Barca.
The Catalans have issues to iron out, but they also have a fantastic record against Los Che, winning five of the last six meetings and four of their previous five visits to the Mestalla.
Barca’s pre-season worries pale in contrast to the hosts, who have suffered defeats against Alaves, PSV and Leeds across their last five.
Valencia suffered nine defeats against the top seven last term and the Catalans look good for all three points.
Having failed to sign a replacement for Sergio Busquets, Marc Casado looks set to be promoted into that spot. The La Masia graduate had limited appearances last term, but he’s been a firm fixture in preseason.
While he’s looked solid in the role, the 20-year-old was booked in their 2-2 draw with AC Milan earlier this month. Inexperience may see him get into trouble in their opener, so he’s a great option to be booked.
Casado’s presence should free up Ilkay Gundogan, who scored five times and created nine more in La Liga last term.
The German was Barca’s most creative player on the road, setting up four goals for his team-mates.
Pairing him to get an assist, along with Casado to be booked, is a tempting 10/1 option for Saturday’s encounter.
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