La Liga Preview: Barcelona - Valencia
The Blaugrana boss suffered his first defeat against Real Madrid on Wednesday and will want to make amends when Mauricio Pellegrino's side visits Camp Nou.
By Karthick Arvinth
Messi after sealing his penalty in spanish supercup( barcelona-real madrid)
| PROBABLE LINE-UPS |
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BARCELONA
 Valdes Montoya, Pique, Mascherano, Alba Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta Tello, Messi, Sanchez |
VALENCIA
 Alves Pereira, Rami, Ruiz, Mathieu Albelda, T Costa Feghouli, Jonas, Guardado Soldado |
Barcelona captain Carles Puyol remains doubtful for Sunday's Primera Division encounter against Valencia with a cheekbone injury.
The Catalans, who will have coach Tito Vilanova barred from the dugout, could also be without right back Dani Alves, after the Brazilian picked up a knock prior to Wednesday's Supercopa defeat at Real Madrid. However, young midfielder Thiago has finally overcome a tibia injury that kept him out of the Olympics and is fit to play.
Valencia summer signing Fernando Gago faces a late fitness test, so David Albelda may make his first appearance of the season. Also set for a start is French defender Adil Rami, who will deputize for the suspended Ricardo Costa.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
- Barcelona's Supercopa defeat against Real Madrid was its first away loss since a 1-0 reverse at Chelsea in last season's Champions League semifinal first leg.
- The Catalans have been drawn in Group G with Benfica, Spartak Moscow and Celtic for the group stage of this season's Champions League.
- Lionel Messi (pictured right) has the same goalscoring record as last season after four games in all competitions: six goals.
- Valencia has failed to register a win over Barcelona in its last 11 attempts across all competitions.
- The Mestalla outfit's last victory at Camp Nou was a 1-0 success in October 2003 - the last time it won the league.
- Valencia has been drawn in Group F for the Champions League group stage alongside Bayern Munich, Lille and BATE Borisov.
Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
-
Barcelona 3-1 Valencia
- 18.35 %
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Barcelona 3-0 Valencia
- 9.94 %
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Barcelona 2-1 Valencia
- 8.13 %
| La Liga (LIGA) | Feb 3, 2013 | Valencia 1 - Barcelona 1 |
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| La Liga (LIGA) | Sep 2, 2012 | Barcelona 1 - Valencia 0 |
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| La Liga (LIGA) | Feb 19, 2012 | Barcelona 5 - Valencia 1 |
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| Copa del Rey (ESPC) | Feb 8, 2012 | Barcelona 2 - Valencia 0 |
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| Copa del Rey (ESPC) | Feb 1, 2012 | Valencia 1 - Barcelona 1 |
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Barcelona
    |
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| May 19, 2013 | Barcelona 2 - Valladolid 1 | LIGA |
| May 12, 2013 | Atletico Madrid 1 - Barcelona 2 | LIGA |
| May 5, 2013 | Barcelona 4 - Betis 2 | LIGA |
| May 1, 2013 | Barcelona 0 - Bayern 3 | UCL |
| Apr 27, 2013 | Athletic Bilbao 2 - Barcelona 2 | LIGA |
Valencia
 |
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| May 18, 2013 | Getafe 0 - Valencia 1 | LIGA |
| May 12, 2013 | Rayo Vallecano 0 - Valencia 4 | LIGA |
| May 4, 2013 | Valencia 4 - Osasuna 0 | LIGA |
| Apr 28, 2013 | Real Sociedad 4 - Valencia 2 | LIGA |
| Apr 20, 2013 | Valencia 5 - Malaga 1 | LIGA |
| 1 | Víctor Valdés | Goalkeeper |
| 2 | Daniel Alves | Defender |
| 3 | Piqué | Defender |
| 21 | Adriano | Defender |
| 4 | Cesc Fàbregas | Midfielder |
| 6 | Xavi | Midfielder |
| 14 | Javier Mascherano | Midfielder |
| 25 | Alex Song | Midfielder |
| 9 | Alexis Sánchez | Striker |
| 10 | Lionel Messi | Striker |
| 17 | Pedro | Striker |
| 13 | José Pinto Colorado | Goalkeeper |
| 32 | Bartra | Defender |
| 18 | Jordi Alba | Defender |
| 8 | Andrés Iniesta Luján | Midfielder |
| 16 | Busquets | Midfielder |
| 7 | David Villa | Striker |
| 37 | Tello | Striker |
| 1 | Diego Alves | Goalkeeper |
| 4 | Adil Rami | Defender |
| 47 | João Pereira | Defender |
| 18 | Víctor Ruiz | Defender |
| 20 | Aly Cissokho | Defender |
| 6 | Albelda | Midfielder |
| 8 | Sofiane Feghouli | Midfielder |
| 18 | Jose Andrés Guardado | Midfielder |
| 24 | Tino Costa | Midfielder |
| 7 | Jonas | Striker |
| 9 | Roberto Soldado | Striker |
| 13 | Guaita | Goalkeeper |
| 12 | Barragán | Defender |
| 8 | Fernando Gago | Midfielder |
| - | Jonathan Viera | Midfielder |
| 21 | Parejo | Midfielder |
| 14 | Pablo Piatti | Striker |
| 18 | Haedo Valdéz | Striker |
Results
Times In EDT
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lionel Messi Striker Barcelona |
46 | 4 |
|
Cristiano Ronaldo Striker Real Madrid |
34 | 6 |
|
Radamel Falcao Striker Atlético de Madrid |
28 | 8 |
|
Roberto Soldado Striker Valencia |
21 | 5 |
|
Negredo Striker Sevilla |
20 | 3 |
