Preview: Valencia vs. Barcelona - prediction, team news, lineups

Xavi's side suffered a 4-2 home loss to Girona in La Liga last weekend, with the result leaving them in fourth spot in the table, seven points off the summit, while Valencia were beaten 1-0 by Getafe in their last match, and Los Che have now dropped into the bottom half of the division.

Match preview

Consistency has been a problem for a youthful Valencia outfit this season, with the team winning five, drawing four and losing seven of their 16 league matches to sit in 11th position in the table on 19 points.

Los Che went four games unbeaten in La Liga between October 7 and November 11, but they have now lost three of their last four in Spain's top flight, picking up just one point in the process.

Ruben Baraja's side have lost 2-1 to Girona and 1-0 to Getafe in their last two league fixtures, but they did manage to progress in the Copa del Rey on December 5 courtesy of a 2-1 success over Arosa.

Valencia finished down in 16th position in Spain's top flight last season, which proved to be their worst final placing since being relegated to the Segunda Division in 1985-86, so there is plenty of room for improvement this season, and there have been positives despite their recent issues.

Los Che will certainly be the fresher of the two teams heading into this contest, but they have lost each of their last five La Liga games with Barcelona, including 1-0 defeats home and away last term, with their last success over the Catalan side proving to be a 2-0 victory in January 2020.

Barcelona, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of successive defeats to Girona and Royal Antwerp in La Liga and the Champions League respectively.

Xavi's position as head coach is allegedly being called into question, and it has been claimed that another loss on Saturday could lead to the board considering relieving him of his duties.

The 3-2 defeat in Antwerp on Wednesday was not particularly damaging, as Barcelona still managed to book their spot in the knockout round of the Champions League as section winners, but there is no downplaying their 4-2 home loss to Girona in the league last weekend.

The shock result left Barcelona in fourth position in the La Liga table, seven points behind the leaders Girona, who are having a quite extraordinary campaign.

The reigning La Liga champions have dropped points in six of their 16 domestic fixtures this term, but their progression into the last-16 stage of the Champions League is a huge positive considering their group-stage exit in each of the last two campaigns.

Barcelona cannot afford many more mistakes in La Liga, and anything other than back-to-back wins over Valencia and Rayo Vallecano in their two fixtures before the winter break could put Xavi in a tough spot.

Valencia La Liga form:

D

W

L

D

L

L

Valencia form (all competitions):

W

L

D

L

W

L

Barcelona La Liga form:

L

W

W

D

W

L

Barcelona form (all competitions):

W

D

W

W

L

L

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Team News

Valencia remain without the services of Jose Gaya due to a muscular problem, while Andre Almeida is again expected to miss out with a back issue.

Los Che will also be without two crucial players through suspension, as both Gabriel Paulista and Javi Guerra were sent off in the narrow defeat at Getafe last time out.

Mouctar Diakhaby is expected to be Paulista's replacement in the middle of the defence, while Guerra's absence could open the door for Hugo Guillamon to earn a rare start in midfield.

As for Barcelona, Frenkie de Jong is expected to return to the side following illness, but Inigo Martinez, Marcos Alonso, Gavi and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are absent due to injury problems.

There will undoubtedly be changes to the side that started the team's Champions League clash on Wednesday, with Joao Cancelo, Pedri, Ilkay Gundogan, Raphinha and Joao Felix all set to feature in the XI.

Ronald Araujo will also return at the back, while De Jong will come back into the midfield providing that he is given the all-clear by the medical department.

Lamine Yamal was Barcelona's most productive attacker against Antwerp, but the youngster is expected to be among the substitutes for the first whistle on Saturday night.

Valencia possible starting lineup:

Mamardashvili; Correia, Mosquera, Diakhaby, Gasiorowski; Foulquier, Guillamon, Pepelu, Perez; Lopez, Duro

Barcelona possible starting lineup:

Pena; Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Cancelo; Pedri, De Jong, Gundogan; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Felix

We say: Valencia 1-2 Barcelona

Barcelona often pick up positive results when they need them most, and we are backing Xavi to deliver a huge win on Saturday night. Valencia are missing some important players, which could cost them, and Barcelona will have added motivation in this match due to their recent disappointing results.

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