Ronald Koeman’s Barcelona have suddenly found form in La Liga as Valencia are next up on the fixture list.
The Blaugrana are coming off two straight wins, including a midweek victory over Real Sociedad – denting the Royals’ hopes of a title.
Valencia go into the game at the weekend on the back of two straight draws. Manager Javi Gracia’s team are struggling to win games but have collected five points this season from draws. Valencia are 12th after 13 matches and just five points off of the top six.
Barcelona’s win in midweek has them up to fifth in the table. After struggling to get out of the middle of the pack, back-to-back wins have Koeman’s team thinking about an unlikely title.
Just six points separate Barcelona and first-place Atletico Madrid. La Liga does not appear to be very strong this season as seven points separate first place from sixth place.
However, an argument can be made that the league is stronger and more equal than in recent years as any one of the top six could lift the La Liga trophy in May.
Gracia’s team have lost just once in their last seven games in all competitions. The problem is that only one of those games finished in wins.
Last season’s trip to Camp Nou ended in a 5-2 loss for Valencia as Luis Suarez scored twice for Barcelona. Suarez won’t be there to torment Los Che this time.
Valencia’s recent record against Barcelona is good. They won at the Mestalla last season, 2-0, and go into the weekend having won two of their last three games against Barcelona. Four of their last five meetings with Barcelona ended without defeat.
Koeman has three names on his injured list for the weekend. Ansu Fati won’t be back until February due to a muscle injury.
The club have now found ways to score without the youngster. Gerard Pique is listed as a doubt while Sergi Roberto is ruled out until January.
Gracia is likely to be without striker Maxi Gomez due to a knock. Hugo Guillamon is also a doubt for the match on Saturday. Kevin Gameiro and Jasper Cillessen are both ruled out until next month at the earliest.
Valencia have a good recent record against Barcelona, so don’t count them out of getting a result at Camp Nou.
Barcelona are in form going into the game, however. Koeman’s team should put in another strong effort with Valencia in town.
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