Defending La Liga champions Barcelona will be eager to return to winning ways when they host Carlos Corberan’s Valencia at the Johan Cruyff Stadium on Sunday.

Having secured their first win of the new season prior to the international break, Valencia will be looking to build on that when they travel to face giants Barcelona at the Johan Cruyff Stadium. Meanwhile, the hosts will be hoping to secure all three points and stay within touching distance of the top spot.

The Catalan giants started the new season with consecutive wins over RCD Mallorca and Levante UD. While it was a promising start by the defending champions, they didn’t have the best of nights against Rayo Vallecano in Matchday 3.

Although they dominated possession, Barcelona were not clinical in the final third and allowed the opposition to create a handful of chances in the 1-1 draw. Flick will be hoping for a much-improved performance from his team on Sunday.

Valencia did not have the best start to the season, kicking off the campaign with a 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad before suffering a defeat at the hands of Osasuna. However, they bounced back against Getafe prior to the break.

They dominated possession, created opportunities, and secured a 3-0 win. While Los Che will be confident heading into this fixture, facing Barcelona is never easy. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.

Team News & Tactics

Barcelona

Hansi Flick will be without the services of Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Gavi, Alejandro Balde, and Frenkie de Jong. While Robert Lewandowski is back fit, the Barcelona is unlikely to risk the veteran Polish striker from the get-go against Valencia.

The Catalan giants will stick with the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Joan Garcia will be in goal. Jules Kounde and Gerard Martin should be the full-backs for this one, while Pau Cubarsi will likely partner Eric Garcia sat the heart of the defence.

As for the midfield unit, Marc Casado could start alongside Pedri in the middle of the pitch. The duo will look to shield the backline and control the tempo of the game. Dani Olmo could start as the no. 10, with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha on the flanks. Meanwhile, Ferran Torres should continue to lead the line for Barcelona against Valencia.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia; Kounde, Eric Garcia, Cubarsi, Martin; Pedri, Casado; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Torres

Valencia

The visitors have no fresh injury concerns, which means Carlos Corberan will have a fully-fit squad to choose from. Against Barcelona, Valencia will most likely go ahead with the 3-4-3 formation, where Julen Agirrezabala will be in goal.

The back three will be made up of Cesar Tarrega, Mouctar Diakhaby, and Jose Manuel Copete. The trio will look to keep things tight at the back, and they will receive significant support from Dimitri Foulquier and Jose Gaya, who will feature as the wing-backs.

As for the midfield unit, Javi Guerra will partner with Baptiste Santamaria in the centre of the park. The duo will look to ensure the Barcelona midfielders do not dominate the ball too deeply in their half.

Luis Rioja and Diego Lopez will be providing much-needed width to their attacks, while Arnaut Danjuma will spearhead the Valencia attack against Barcelona at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Sunday.

Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Agirrezabala; Tarrega, Diakhaby, Copete; Foulquier, Guerra, Santamaria, Gaya; Lopez, Danjuma, Rioja

Key Stats

• Since the new Camp Nou is not ready yet, the Johan Cruyff Stadium will host this fixture, making it the ground with the lowest capacity (6,000 seats) ever to stage a La Liga game.
• Valencia have only won 59 of their last 230 matches against Barcelona.
• The Catalan giants have won each of their last meetings against Corberan’s team.
• Hansi Flick’s team smashed Valencia 7-1 in the corresponding fixture last season.
• Valencia have not won away against Barcelona since April 2016.

Player to Watch

Dani Olmo

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Despite struggling with injuries, Olmo did have an impressive debut campaign last time out. He was involved in 39 matches, racked up less than 2,000 minutes of first-team action, but finished the season with 12 goals and seven assists.

The 27-year-old will be eager to build on that and cement his place in the starting XI. However, he is yet to make a significant impact this season. Although the Spaniard has featured in all three of their league games, he is still searching for his first goal contribution.

Prediction

Barcelona 2-0 Valencia

Reigning La Liga champions Barcelona will aim to bounce back in style when they host Valencia at the Johan Cruyff Stadium. Hansi Flick’s men have shown glimpses of their attacking prowess in the opening fixtures, but they lacked cutting edge in their last outing against Rayo Vallecano.

Valencia, fresh off a 3-0 win over Getafe, will enter the match with confidence, but overcoming Barcelona on their home turf remains a tall order. Carlos Corberan’s side will look to stay compact and rely on quick counters, with Arnaut Danjuma spearheading the attack and Luis Rioja and Diego Lopez providing width.

However, given Barcelona’s superior quality in midfield and attack, the visitors will struggle to maintain defensive solidity throughout. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for Hansi Flick and his charges.