Big Game Focus: Barcelona v Valencia

La Liga champions Barcelona and Copa Del Rey winners Valencia will face off in this weekend, but which side will come out on top in Catalonia? Bet on the match here.

Barcelona and Valencia have not had a great opening to the new campaign as both have taken four points on the board from their first three La Liga outings. This is an excellent chance for the hosts to kick start their season, and they have been installed as solid odds-on favourites to land the spoils here.

Valencia will not be too worried about their early season form after all they were in this exact position in terms of points  last season but still went on to finish fourth in the La Liga table. You can bet that will be the main aim again this time around.

Betting preview

Both Teams to Score has landed in each of the last four encounters between the pair and Valencia have netted in all but two of their last 13 away assignments. We think this is the way to go and you can back that at odds of 1.65.

Barca have averaged Over 2.5 Goals at home since the start of last season and they were did the same in their only home game against Real Betis in an eight goal thriller. Backing Over 2.5 Goals promises decent returns and you can back that at odds of 1.55.

Barca have won their last eight La Liga games at Camp Nou and are potentially the most likely winners on matchday four. Odds of 1.50 have been offered for a Home Win and there is a good chance you will make some money back on that.

Team news

Lionel Messi is out of Barcelona’s match against Valencia and the hosts tend to struggle without the Argentine. However, Luis Suarez has returned to full team training after injuring his leg against Athletic Bilbao to open the season. He is expected to be on the bench at the very least at the weekend.

Kevin Gameiro and Rodrigo Moreno are expected to start in the final third of the field, leaving summer arrival Maxi Gomez on the bench. Dani Parejo will captain the team from the middle of the park, while former Arsenal youngster Francis Coquelin should also retain his spot. Carlos Soler and Cristiano Piccini are both still on the sidelines.

Possible lineups

Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba, De Jong, Busquets, Rakitic, Perez, L Suarez, Griezmann.

Valencia: Cillessen, Wass, Garay, Diakhaby, Gaya, Guedes, Coquelin, Parejo, Torres, Moreno, Gameiro.