Barcelona vs Valencia
19 December 1515hrs
Football – Spain – La Liga
Pick Barcelona win and both teams to score
Bookmaker William Hill
Odds: 7/10 odds taken 2000 GMT, Thursday 17 December
Barcelona come into this game hoping to win a third straight La Liga game this season and have to overcome a Valencia team who continue to be in dire form on their travels.
Table of Contents
Barcelona Preview – Can Barca find a third home win in a week to creep closer to the leaders?
If Ronald Koeman was under any illusions as to the job which faced him when taking over as Barcelona coach then the past four months will have set him straight. Barca sit in fifth spot heading towards Christmas and have lost four of their first 12 matches in La Liga. That’s left them six points behind leaders Atletico Madrid who they’ve also played a game more than. Koeman will be hoping his team can build on the last week which has seen them pick up six points from home games against Levante and Real Sociedad.
The latter of this victories was particularly encouraging as it came against one of the joint leaders and just the second time they’ve beaten a team above them this season.
Valencia Preview – Are Valencia capable of finding what would be just a second away win in 17 La Liga away games?
Javi Gracia continues coaching Valencia with one hand tied behind his back so the fact they sit in mid-table coming into this game should not come as a surprise. The club’s off-the-field struggles are well documented and the playing squad is being decimated with each passing transfer window. Since beating Real Madrid 4-1 in early November Valencia have drawn three and lost one. The win over Real is their only success in nine league games, however.
Currently in 12th, they are only three points above the relegation zone and that looks set to be the story of their season from here on in.
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Valencia’s only away win this season came against Real Sociedad at the end of September and the remains their only win on the road this calendar year. It’s an indication of just quick the downfall of this team has been considering they were an established top four club prior to this.
With just six goals in as many away games there will be some trepidation within the squad and coaching staff as they travel to the Nou Camp that they can get a result against Barcelona. Their last win in the league here was back in 2016.
Barcelona vs Valencia Betting Advice
In many ways this is the perfect game for Barcelona as they look to get another three points. The fixture remains somewhat prestigious but Valencia’s recent struggles – especially on the road – mean they are big favourites to get their third win in six days.
If previous meetings are anything to go by then we should expect to see goals tomorrow. There have been 21 goals in the past six meetings and both teams have scored in five of those.
Key Facts – Barcelona vs Valencia Betting Tip
- Barcelona have seen off Levante and, more impressively, Real Sociedad already this week – both at home
- Valencia’s have managed just one away league victory so far in 2020
- Both teams have scored in five of the last six meetings between these two teams
Barcelona should get the win here but in order to get some value take the home team to get the victory with both teams scoring.
