Prediction and odds for the game: Valencia (4/1) v Barcelona (8/13)
We are backing the away win
When: 25th January 2020, Kick-off 3 PM
Where: The Estadio de Mestalla
On Saturday afternoon, La Liga leaders Barcelona face a potentially tricky visit to Valencia’s Mestalla.
Valencia
Los Ches have been a tough nut to crack of late in the Spanish top-flight, as the home side has lost just one of their previous six matches in La Liga. In fact, a shock 4-1 defeat at Real Mallorca last time out ended a five-game unbeaten run in the Spanish top-flight.
Although Valencia’s recent league outings have not all been high-scoring recently, six of their last seven La Liga games have seen both teams score. The home side has kept just two clean sheets in their last 13 matches in the Spanish top-flight.
Los Ches have made the Mestalla a difficult place for opposition teams to visit. Los Ches are unbeaten in 11 home matches in La Liga, whilst also losing just one home La Liga game in 23 outings. Their recent league matches at the Mestalla have been tight, low-scoring matches with under 2.5 goals scored in four of their last five games. Los Ches have won just one of their last ten meetings with Barcelona in all competitions.
Barcelona
The Blaugrana are still top of La Liga, only ahead of arch-rivals Real Madrid on goal difference. New head coach Quique Setien got off to a winning start with a 1-0 win over Granada at the Nou Camp last Sunday.
The win means that the reigning Spanish champions have won 11 of their last 15 La Liga games. However, three of their previous five league matches have finished all square. Barcelona’s recent La Liga games have been high-scoring, as they have scored at least twice in ten in their last 13 outings.
The Catalan giants have an inconsistent recent away game in La Liga. However, the champions are four games unbeaten on their travels in the Spanish top-flight. They have drawn their last two away games in the league against Real Sociedad and Espanyol.
Their recent away matches in La Liga have been high-scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored in five of their last six outings on the road. The Catalan giants have now kept just one clean sheet on their travels in the top-flight.
Conclusion
Valencia could be a tough opponent for Barcelona. Los Ches are hoping to move into the European spots. However, we are backing the visitors to record a victory in a low-scoring clash. Los Ches’ home matches tend to be low-scoring, which is why we are backing under 2.5 goals to be scored.
Verdict: We are backing the away win at odds of 8/15 and or under 2.5 goals scored at odds of 6.4. (All odds are taken from Bet365)
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Will Barcelona get past the possible obstacle of Valencia?
