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Played
February 3, 2013 6:00 PM GMT
Estadio de Mestalla — Valencia
Referee:‬ José González‎
Attendance:‬ 45000‎
 
33′ Ever Banega
Lionel Messi 39′ (PG)

Valencia-Barcelona Preview: Catalan giants look to stretch Liga lead

The Blaugrana must guard against complacency as they look to build on an 11-point advantage over second-placed Atletico Madrid in the Primera Division standings

By Karthick Arvinth

More On :  Barcelona, Valencia, Valencia vs Barcelona
Cesc Fábregas | Real Madrid v Barcelona | Clásico
Getty Images
  PROBABLE LINEUPS

VALENCIA

Alves
Pereira, Rami, Ruiz, Cissokho
Albelda, T Costa
Piatti, Banega, Guardado
Soldado
BARCELONA

Valdes
Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba
Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas
Pedro, Messi, Villa

Valencia forward Roberto Soldado has returned to training following a thigh injury and could start Sunday’s encounter against Barcelona at Mestalla.

However, Dani Parejo (hand) and Jonas (thigh) are unlikely to feature, while Nelson Valdez (calf) is a minor doubt.

Left-back Jeremy Mathieu has recovered from his ankle injury but will not be involved, while winger Sofiane Feghouli has returned from the Africa Cup of Nations and may start on the bench.

Barcelona welcome back Gerard Pique after he missed last weekend’s 5-1 win over Osasuna through suspension.

Striker Isaac Cuenca will play no part after he was loaned out to Ajax on transfer deadline day.

  DID YOU KNOW?
  • Valencia have won four of their last five Liga matches.
  • Los Che have lost their last three encounters against Barcelona by an aggregate score of 8-1.
  • Valencia’s last home win over Barca was a 3-2 success in the Copa del Rey in March 2008.
  • Barcelona have won just two of their last five games in all competitions.
  • With 71 goals scored in their 21 Liga matches, the Catalans possess the most potent attack in La Liga.
  • Lionel Messi (pictured, right) has scored in a record 11 consecutive Liga games.

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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Valencia 1-3 Barcelona
    19.83 %
  • Valencia 1-4 Barcelona
    10.55 %
  • Valencia 0-3 Barcelona
    9.62 %
Head to Head
La Liga ‎(LIGA)‎ 3 Feb 2013 Valencia 1 - Barcelona 1
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
La Liga ‎(LIGA)‎ 2 Sep 2012 Barcelona 1 - Valencia 0
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La Liga ‎(LIGA)‎ 19 Feb 2012 Barcelona 5 - Valencia 1
  • Player Ratings
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Copa del Rey ‎(ESPC)‎ 8 Feb 2012 Barcelona 2 - Valencia 0
  • Player Ratings
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Copa del Rey ‎(ESPC)‎ 1 Feb 2012 Valencia 1 - Barcelona 1
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Last Five Matches
Valencia
18 May 2013Getafe 0 - Valencia 1LIGA
12 May 2013Rayo Vallecano 0 - Valencia 4LIGA
4 May 2013Valencia 4 - Osasuna 0LIGA
28 Apr 2013Real Sociedad 4 - Valencia 2LIGA
20 Apr 2013Valencia 5 - Málaga 1LIGA
Barcelona
19 May 2013Barcelona 2 - Valladolid 1LIGA
12 May 2013Atlético de Madrid 1 - Barcelona 2LIGA
5 May 2013Barcelona 4 - Betis 2LIGA
1 May 2013Barcelona 0 - FC Bayern München 3UCL
27 Apr 2013Athletic de Bilbao 2 - Barcelona 2LIGA
Odds
Returns: Valencia £170.00 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Returns: Draw £43.33 PaddyPower Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Returns: Barcelona £110.00 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Team News
Available Squads
13GuaitaGoalkeeper
20Aly CissokhoDefender
4Adil RamiDefender
47João PereiraDefender
18Víctor RuizDefender
20Ricardo CostaDefender
10Ever BanegaMidfielder
18Jose Andrés GuardadoMidfielder
24Tino CostaMidfielder
28Juan BernatMidfielder
9Roberto SoldadoStriker
1Diego AlvesGoalkeeper
12BarragánDefender
6AlbeldaMidfielder
16CanalesMidfielder
7JonasStriker
14Pablo PiattiStriker
18Haedo ValdézStriker
1Víctor ValdésGoalkeeper
2Daniel AlvesDefender
3PiquéDefender
18Jordi AlbaDefender
4Cesc FàbregasMidfielder
6XaviMidfielder
8Andrés Iniesta LujánMidfielder
14Javier MascheranoMidfielder
16BusquetsMidfielder
10Lionel MessiStriker
17PedroStriker
13José Pinto ColoradoGoalkeeper
5Carles PuyolDefender
21AdrianoDefender
11Thiago AlcántaraMidfielder
25Alex SongMidfielder
7David VillaStriker
9Alexis SánchezStriker
Players to Watch
Roberto Soldado
Roberto Soldado
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 9
Games Goals YC RC
33 21 8 0
The 27-year-old striker was overlooked by Spain boss Vicente Eel Bosque this week, despite bagging 11 Liga goals in 19 appearances this season. With chances likely to be at a premium against Barcelona, Soldado’s return will provide a major boost to Valencia’s chances.
Jordi Alba
Jordi Alba
Position: Defender
Squad Number: 18
Games Goals YC RC
27 2 3 0
The attack-minded left-back returns to Mestalla for the first time since making the high-profile switch to Barcelona last summer. Alba has proved to be a more than capable replacement for Eric Abidal and he will want to showcase his progress against his old club.
Prediction
Barcelona played well against Real Madrid on Wednesday and will be in confident mood heading into the weekend. Valencia did well to beat Deportivo La Coruna after an erratic defensive display in the 5-0 hammering at the hands of Real, but they are weakened by the absence of some key personnel.
Editor's Prediction
Valencia 1
Barcelona 2
Results
ALL MATCHES >>
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Lionel Messi Lionel Messi
Striker
Barcelona 		46 4
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker
Real Madrid 		34 6
Radamel Falcao Radamel Falcao
Striker
Atlético Madrid 		28 8
Roberto Soldado Roberto Soldado
Striker
Valencia 		21 5
Negredo Negredo
Striker
Sevilla 		20 3

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