Barcelona vs Valencia
After completing their first three league games away from home, 2025 La Liga champions Barcelona are back in Catalonia on Sunday when they will host Valencia at the Estadi Johan Cruyff.
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona had hoped their long-awaited return to the Spotify Camp Nou would be this weekend for the visit of Carlos Corberan’s Valencia, but it was not to be and the two-year wait goes on. Regardless, this is the first chance the Barca fans have had to see their team on home soil and there will be an electric atmosphere on Sunday when the two teams run out.
The Catalans are in fourth place in the early Primera Division table, two points behind leaders Real Madrid and Los Blancos face Real Sociedad on Saturday. The La Liga 2025 betting odds give Flick’s men a slight edge in the El Clásico battle for the 2025/26 title, with Atletico fans still believing, despite Los Rojiblancos’ slow start to the new season.
At the end of their run of three away days Barcelona drew 1-1 with Rayo Vallecano last time out, while Valencia picked up a first win of the campaign, beating Getafe 3-0; and Corberan will have his team set up to make it difficult for the hosts on Sunday.
Talking Points
Gavi out for Barca
The La Liga 2025 news from Barcelona on Friday was not exactly what the fans wanted to hear, as midfield ace Gavi, who was out for much of last season with an ACL injury has picked up a new cartilage problem and he will be sidelined for a month at least. The 21-year-old missed the draw with Rayo Vallecano and, after extensive assessment by the club’s medical staff he will now undergo a period of treatment in the hope of avoiding further surgery.
It’s a blow for Gavi and his manager but, with Dani Olmo, Fermin Lopez and Pedri across the middle of the park, Barca have plenty of quality to support their star studded strike force, which could see Marcus Rashford make a start alongside Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski, should Flick decide to rest Raphinha who has had a heavy workload with club and country.
Barca had a relatively quiet transfer window with the main purchase being keeper Joan Garcia, who arrived in a £25m move from neighbours Espanyol, and he showed his worth in the 1-1 draw with Vallecano, making five quality saves.
Valencia will set up to frustrate
In two years at West Bromwich Albion Corberan earned a reputation as a smart tactician with great organisational skills, as the Baggies became hard to beat and difficult to score against; and that will be his strategy against the Blaugrana. His team is in good shape and has conceded only two goals in three games so far. Los Ches started with an impressive 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad, before falling to a 1-0 loss to Osasuna. Valencia then recovered to beat Getafe 3-0, putting in a brilliant performance, restricting their visitors to just one shot on target, while Mouctar Diakhaby, new signing Arnaut Danjuma and star striker Hugo Duro all scored.
Left winger Danjuma arrived from Villarreal over the summer and he has settled superbly, and The Netherlands international will be a key player as Corberan aims to improve on last season’s 12th-place finish.
History
With 25 wins to four over their past 40 meetings with Valencia, the Blaugrana have had plenty of success in this fixture, while Los Ches have also picked up 11 draws; but there was carnage in Catalonia last season. Barcelona plundered a 7-1 victory over Los Ches on their march to the title. And the north territory has not been a happy hunting ground for Valencia in recent years, where they have failed to pick up a win over Barca in nine years.
In terms of recent form, with four wins and a draw from five games Barcelona are in fine shape, while Valencia won their first match in five last week.
Betting Tip
The Blaugrana is at a short price of 1.24 to win all three points on their return to Catalonia, with the draw priced at 6.95 here at SBOTOP, and an away win is at 11.00; and it is very hard to look past a win for the champions. If Valencia can stand firm until the break they have half a chance…but I really don’t think they will.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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