Valencia and Barcelona face Sunday night, at 19:45, on Mestalla, in the derby of the eighth round of the Primera Division.
The Catalans showed signs of returning to the Champions League by winning 4-2 on Tottenham’s ground after a three-game series without a win in La Liga, while the “bats” come after two excellent outcomes: the success at San Sebastian, 1-0 with Real Sociedad, in the championship, and the draw on Old Trafford with Manchester United in the Champions League.
The two teams have faced Mestalla 83 times before, with a favorable score for Barcea: 33 wins against Valencia’s 29. In the last three meetings, the hosts did not win and both teams scored each time, and last year, it was a draw, 1-1. Valencia has not set Mestalla in front of the 2006-2007 blaugrana group, 2-1.
Probable teams:
Valencia: Neto – Piccini, Garay, Gabriel Paulista, Gaya – Carlos Soler, Dani Parejo, Kondogbia, Goncalo Guedes – Gameiro, Rodrigo
FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen – Nelson Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Jordi Alba – Rakitic, Busquets, Coutinho – Dembele, Messi, Luis Suarez.
Valencia has mobilized her exemplary every time she faced Barcelona at home, and I think things will still be the case. That’s why I count on a game in which both teams to score and to see at least three goals. Also, Lionel Messi has scored 21 times in Valencia, so there are great chances to score now.
PREDICTION: Barcelona to win @ 1.72
