Played
February 3, 2013 9:00 PM EAT
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 CF, Valencia CF 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.

Follow Goal.com on Twitter

Follow Goal.com on Facebook
Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Valencia CF 1-3 Barcelona
    19.83 %
  • Valencia CF 1-4 Barcelona
    10.55 %
  • Valencia CF 0-3 Barcelona
    9.62 %
Head to Head
Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎ Feb 3, 2013 Valencia CF 1 - Barcelona 1
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎ Sep 2, 2012 Barcelona 1 - Valencia CF 0
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎ Feb 19, 2012 Barcelona 5 - Valencia CF 1
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
Spain - Copa del Rey ‎(ESPC)‎ Feb 8, 2012 Barcelona 2 - Valencia CF 0
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
Spain - Copa del Rey ‎(ESPC)‎ Feb 1, 2012 Valencia CF 1 - Barcelona 1
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
Last Five Matches
Valencia CF
May 18, 2013Getafe 0 - Valencia CF 1LIGA
May 12, 2013Rayo Vallecano 0 - Valencia CF 4LIGA
May 4, 2013Valencia CF 4 - Osasuna 0LIGA
Apr 28, 2013Real Sociedad 4 - Valencia CF 2LIGA
Apr 20, 2013Valencia CF 5 - Malaga 1LIGA
Barcelona
May 19, 2013Barcelona 2 - Valladolid 1LIGA
May 12, 2013Atletico Madrid 1 - Barcelona 2LIGA
May 5, 2013Barcelona 4 - Betis 2LIGA
May 1, 2013Barcelona 0 - FC Bayern München 3UCL
Apr 27, 2013Athletic de Bilbao 2 - Barcelona 2LIGA
Odds
Returns: Valencia $65.00 Ladbrokes Sign up today with Ladbrokes and get a $20 welcome bonus!
Returns: Draw $45.00 Ladbrokes Sign up today with Ladbrokes and get a $20 welcome bonus!
Returns: Barcelona $14.40 Ladbrokes Sign up today with Ladbrokes and get a $20 welcome bonus!
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
Results
ALL MATCHES >>
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Lionel Messi Lionel Messi
Striker
Barcelona 		46 4
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker
Real Madrid CF 		34 6
Radamel Falcao Radamel Falcao
Striker
Atl. Madrid 		28 8
Roberto Soldado Roberto Soldado
Striker
Valencia 		21 5
Negredo Negredo
Striker
Sevilla 		20 3