Valencia vs Barcelona: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction

Business

Barcelona head to Valencia on Sunday knowing they need to put their recent defeat to Granada behind them if they’ve any chance of wrestling back their La Liga crown.

Despite a turbulent campaign, Ronald Koeman’s side’s destiny was in their own hands heading into the midweek clash with Granada following a run of just one defeat in their previous 22 league outings.

All looked to be going to plan as Lionel Messi handed Barça a first-half lead, though the wheels fell off in the second half and Koeman’s men slumped to a 2-1 defeat meaning Atletico Madrid are now back in the driving seat in this season’s title race.

Lionel MessiLionel Messi
Lionel Messi will be looking to fire his team to victory on Sunday | Eric Alonso/Getty Images

If Barcelona’s season could be described as turbulent then Valencia’s has just been an absolute nightmare. Los Murcielagos still have work to do if they’re to retain their status as a La Liga club for next season and five league games without a win hasn’t helped their cause.

This game could have huge implications at both ends of the table and 90min have provided you with everything you need to know about the upcoming clash.

What TV channel is Valencia vs Barcelona on?

Javi Gracia is looking to steer his side to safetyJavi Gracia is looking to steer his side to safety
Javi Gracia is looking to steer his side to safety | Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

When is kick-off? Sunday 2 May – 20:00 (BST)
Where is the game being played? Mestalla Stadium
How to watch on TV in UK and US? LaLigaTV (UK), fuboTV (US)
Referee: Jose Maria Sanchez Martínez

Valencia team news

Jasper Cillessen is back in contention after recovering from a knee injury, though Jaume Domenech is expected to continue in goal for the home side.

Elsewhere, Valencia don’t have too many injury worries and head coach Javi Gracia isn’t expected to make wholesale changes from the side that rescued a late point against Alaves last time out.

Barcelona team news

Koeman is expected to shuffle his pack following Thursday’s poor showing at home to Granada, with Pedri and Sergino Dest both in line for returns to the first team.

Philippe Coutinho and Ansu Fati both remain sidelined with long-term injuries, while former Middlesbrough man Martin Braithwaite is also not expected to feature having missed the last few games with an ankle injury.

Valencia vs Barcelona predicted lineups

Valencia: Domenech; Correia, Paulista, Guillamon, Gaya; Wass, Soler, Racic, Cheryshev; Gomez, Guedes.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Mingueza, Pique, Lenglet; Dest, De Jong, Busquets, Pedri, Alba; Griezmann, Messi.

Valencia vs Barcelona prediction

Antoine Griezmann could have a big say on SundayAntoine Griezmann could have a big say on Sunday
Antoine Griezmann could have a big say on Sunday | Eric Alonso/Getty Images

A few weeks ago you’d have put your mortgage on Barcelona running away with this one, though their wobble in midweek having worked so hard to get themselves back into the title race suggested they’d lost their bottle a little.

Valencia don’t have any problems scoring goals, it’s keeping them out that’s proven to be their downfall this season, and with a bit of pressure potentially taken off Barcelona’s shoulders now their destiny is no longer in their own hands, you can quite easily envisage their frontline having a field day.

This one could…messy haha we’re bloody hilarious.

Prediction: Valencia 1-5 Barcelona

Schreibe einen Kommentar