Valencia vs Barcelona predictions for Saturday’s La Liga affair at the Mestalla. Barcelona will be striving to prevent a third consecutive loss in all competitions as they return to their La Liga campaign, facing Valencia at Mestalla on Saturday night. Read on for our free La Liga predictions and betting tips.
Match Live Saturday, 16th December at 8:00 pm In:
Valencia vs Barcelona Predictions
[wptb id="393329" not found ]Tactical Tussle at the Mestalla: A Hint of Nervous Brilliance
Key Stats
– Valencia has missed an average of 1.1 big chances per game, a concern against Barcelona’s attack.
– Robert Lewandowski, with 8 goals, poses a significant threat to Valencia’s vulnerable defense.
As Barcelona prepares to visit Valencia at the iconic Mestalla, they stand at a critical juncture in their La Liga campaign. Following a surprising 4-2 defeat to Girona, Xavi’s team finds itself in a precarious fourth position, trailing the leaders by seven points. Meanwhile, Valencia, reeling from a 1-0 loss to Getafe, is mired in the bottom half of the table. This match presents an opportunity for both teams to alter their trajectories significantly.
Our Suggested Best Value Bet For This Match
BEST VALUE BET £20 Returns £38   Odds corrects at time of posting and subject to change |
Best Value Bet Rationale
Analysing Raphinha’s performance this season, two key points emerge. Firstly, his average performance rating stands at a commendable 7.09, highlighting his consistent contribution to Barcelona’s attack. Secondly, and crucially, both of his goals this season have been scored from outside the penalty area. This indicates a propensity for taking and converting long-range efforts. His scoring frequency may appear modest at one goal every 221 minutes, but this is offset by his shot selection – he averages 2.1 shots per game, with a notable proportion being from distance.
Barcelona, coming off back-to-back defeats, will be eager to reassert their dominance, especially against a Valencia side that has struggled for consistency. Given Valencia’s recent defensive vulnerabilities and the absence of key defenders like Gabriel Paulista, spaces are likely to open up outside the box. This scenario plays perfectly into Raphinha’s strengths, who is known for his ability to find and exploit gaps in the opposition’s defensive setup.
Considering the overall context – Barcelona’s need for a creative spark, Raphinha’s inclination to shoot from range, and Valencia’s defensive woes – this betting selection offers an intriguing opportunity. The boosted odds of 11/1 further enhance its appeal, making it an attractive proposition for those seeking value in this high-stakes encounter.
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Valencia: The Search for Consistency
Valencia’s season has been marred by inconsistency, as evidenced by their 11th place standing. Despite a promising unbeaten streak in October and November, they’ve since faltered, losing three of their last four league matches. Their journey in the Copa del Rey, however, showed signs of resilience. Valencia’s key concern has been converting opportunities, with a big chance missed per game average of 1.1. Their defence, though relatively solid, has been prone to costly errors, leading to goals.
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Barcelona: Under Pressure
Barcelona’s recent form is alarming, especially given their stature. The defeats to Girona and Royal Antwerp have placed Xavi’s leadership under scrutiny. While they have advanced in the Champions League, their domestic performance remains a worry. A pattern emerges in their game: a strong possession style (65.3%) coupled with an attacking threat (1.9 goals per game). However, their defence has been their Achilles’ heel, conceding 1.1 goals per game.
The Tactical Battle
Valencia’s Approach
Valencia’s approach under Ruben Baraja will likely be cautious, aiming to exploit Barcelona’s recent defensive lapses. They will focus on solidifying their midfield and defence, given the absences of key players like Gabriel Paulista and Javi Guerra. Valencia’s top performer, Pepelu, alongside Hugo Duro, will be pivotal in creating and converting chances.
Barcelona’s Strategy
Barcelona, despite their troubles, will aim to dominate possession and control the game’s tempo. With Frenkie de Jong’s expected return, they will seek to exploit gaps in Valencia’s midfield. Key players like Pedri, Gundogan, and Lewandowski will be crucial in breaking Valencia’s defensive lines. Their main challenge will be to translate their possession into tangible results while shoring up their backline.
Key Player Battles
- Pedri (Barcelona) vs. Pepelu (Valencia): A midfield duel that could dictate the flow of the game.
- Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) vs. Mouctar Diakhaby (Valencia): Lewandowski’s clinical finishing against Diakhaby’s defensive resolve.
- Hugo Duro (Valencia) vs. Ronald Araujo (Barcelona): A crucial attacking-defensive tussle.
Managerial Analysis
Xavi’s Barcelona has shown tactical flexibility but lacks consistency. His reliance on possession-based football needs to be complemented with a more robust defense. On the other hand, Valencia’s Baraja has shown promise, but his team’s inability to convert chances into goals remains a concern. His tactics need to be more dynamic to challenge top-tier teams.
Improvements and Strategies
Barcelona must improve defensively and be more clinical in front of goal. Valencia needs to focus on converting their chances and maintaining defensive solidity throughout the match.
Expected Lineups and Impact
Valencia’s Expected Lineup:
- Mamardashvili; Correia, Mosquera, Diakhaby, Gasiorowski; Foulquier, Guillamon, Pepelu, Perez; Lopez, Duro
- Impact: Valencia’s lineup suggests a blend of youth and experience. The absence of key defenders could be a point of concern against Barcelona’s attack.
Barcelona’s Expected Lineup:
- Pena; Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Cancelo; Pedri, De Jong, Gundogan; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Felix
- Impact: Barcelona’s lineup is a mix of creativity and experience. The midfield trio of Pedri, De Jong, and Gundogan will be crucial in controlling the game, while the attacking front poses a significant threat to Valencia’s defence.
Predictions and Analysis
Prediction 1: Both Teams to Score
Given Barcelona’s defensive vulnerabilities and Valencia’s need to bounce back, a ‘both teams to score’ bet seems promising. The odds are balanced, offering value without being too predictable.
Prediction 2: Correct Score – Barcelona 2-1 Valencia
Barcelona’s attacking prowess, coupled with Valencia’s recent scoring struggles, suggests a narrow victory for the visitors. Expect a tight match with Barcelona edging it.
Prediction 3: Goalscorer – Robert Lewandowski
Lewandowski’s proven track record and Barcelona’s reliance on his goal-scoring abilities make him a likely candidate to find the net.
Prediction 4: Corner Prediction – More Corners for Barcelona; Total Corners: 9-11
Barcelona’s attacking style and higher ball possession should result in more corners for them. A total of 9-11 corners in the game seems a reasonable estimate considering both teams’ playing styles.
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