LaLiga 2022-2023: Barcelona vs Valencia: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Spanish league leaders have an important match in hand against Los Che on Sunday.

The upcoming game between Valencia CF and FC Barcelona at Camp Nou on March 5 is one of the most important matches for Barcelona because they were recently eliminated from the Europa League, and this could be the main trophy to target this season for Xavi.

Barcelona's last game was against UD Almeria away from home, and the team lost 1-0. It needed 13 shots to outshoot UD Almeria by seven. Barcelona did not score, but Robert Lewandowski had three shots.

Valencia most recently defeated Real Sociedad 1-0 at home on February 25. Valencia was outshot 12 to 10 by Real Sociedad. With zero goals, 23 Valencia players (including Alberto Mari) led the club.

Kick-off:

Sunday, 05-03-2023; 3:15 pm (GMT)

Sunday, 05-03-2023, 8:45 pm (IST)

Barcelona form( all competitions): W-W-D-W-L-L

Valencia form( all competitions): L-L-L-L-L-W

Players to Watch

Barcelona: Gavi

The Spanish youngster is currently the backbone of the team as the player is versatile enough to play as a forward or a midfielder, his work ethic on the pitch has been a key factor in Barcelona's success this season. However, with all big stars injured Xavi's team will depend on the no. 6 for this week's game.

Valencia: Samu Castillejo

The Spanish forward will be the player to watch this fixture as Castillejo primarily plays as a winger on either side of the pitch, relying primarily on his stronger left foot. He also serves as a backup striker or a false nine on occasion. The number 11 is expected to break Barca's defence to give Valencia 3 points at Camp Nou.

Match Facts

• Barcelona has won three of their last four La Liga games against Valencia, scoring at least three goals in three of them.
• Barcelona has not lost in their last six La Liga home games against Valencia (W4 D2) since a 1-2 loss in April 2016.
• Valencia won their last La Liga game (1-0 against Real Sociedad), snapping a five-game losing streak in the competition; they have not won two consecutive league games since March 2022.

Injury and Team news

Samu Castillejo of Valencia will be available for this game, but Edinson Cavani, Thierry Correia, Nico Gonzalez, and Jaume Domenech are still out injured. Hugo Guillamon will probably be included in the starting lineup for this game, but Baraja is likely to resist the urge to completely alter the lineup from the Getafe match. Los Che should once more be led by Hugo Duro, with Samuel Lino possibly leaving the team to make room for Castillejo to join.

Lewandowski, who suffered a hamstring injury during the weekend's loss to Almeria, has dealt Barcelona an untimely injury blow. His recovery has no set timetable according to the Catalans, but he will undoubtedly observe this match from the sidelines. Pedri and Ousmane Dembele are also out of the running due to separate thigh injuries, but on the plus side, Xavi is optimistic that Ansu Fati's bruised knee will recover in time for the opening leg.

The 20-year-old is one option to fill in for Lewandowski through the middle, but Ferran Torres should start at number nine so Raphinha can move back out wide following his odd post-Manchester United injury, in which he injured his foot by kicking a refrigerator in rage after being replaced.

Head-to-Head Stats

Matches Played-58

Barcelona won-30

Valencia won- 12

Draws-16

Predicted Lineups

Barcelona (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde; De Jong, Busquets, Roberto; Raphinha, Torres, Gavi

Valencia(4-3-3): Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Paulista, Diakhaby, Gaya; Guillamon, Almeida, Musah; Kluivert, Duro, Castillejo

Prediction

Barcelona has lost 2 games in a row, therefore we expect another three points in this encounter as they cannot afford to lose any more points in order to win the league. Due to both clubs' forms, we're not backing Valencia's side to win at Camp Nou. 

Prediction: Barcelona 3-1 Valencia

Telecast

India - Sports18 TV channel, Voot and Jio CinemaUK - Via Play, LaLiga TVUSA - Hulu, ESPN+, Disney+Nigeria - Canal+ , Super Sport