Barcelona vs Valencia
So, two weeks on from their last La Liga outing, an inevitable defeat at the hands of former friends in the shape of reigning champions Atletico Madrid, Barcelona are back in action and the questions remain the same.
Not least the future of boss Ronald Koeman.
Should his side fail to win this contest and the following midweek Champions League encounter Dynamo Kyiv – anything other than victory and the Catalans will be out of the competition at the group stage – and his tenure may become untenable.
But then again, we have been here before – particularly because it is proving hard to escape the fact that, regardless of results, Koeman appears a dead man walking, much of it through no fault of his own.
As already illustrated on these pages, he and Joan Laporta have had a strained – bordering on toxic – relationship since Laporta was elected as club president in March and the whole set-up has led to constant and undeserved lack of respect for Koeman.
As if that dynamic is not bad enough, the former Holland boss has also had to deal with the fallout from Barca legend Lionel Messi’s departure from the Nou Camp and is in charge at a time when the club are in dire financial straits.
In the end it all comes down to a struggle between Koeman’s realism and Laporta’s illusion.
How the Dutchman needs some La Liga 2021 highlights on Sunday night.
Talking Points
Of course, a lack of forward options so far this term has not helped his or the club’s cause.
Exciting youngster Ansu Fati has missed games, Ousmane Dembele’s injury came at a particularly unfortunate time, while the return to fitness of summer signing Sergio Aguero is seen as key with the Blaugrana hanging their hat on his form once he is able to play.
No sooner had Aguero been snapped up on a free transfer from Manchester City at the start of the summer window, than the Argentine was injured.
Yet he has recently returned to full training and was included in a behind-closed-doors friendly match on Wednesday afternoon – only featuring for half an hour (and scoring) – although this weekend will almost certainly be too soon.
Valencia have some better news of their own on the injury front.
Jose Luis Gaya, Carlos Soler and Denis Cheryshev are all back in full training. Cheryshev and Gaya have missed Valencia’s last league four games with Soler sidelined for their last three matches with a knee problem.
Los Che have had some occasions to savour against the Catalan giants. Most of them though have come in their own Mestalla Stadium and their record in Barca is poor.
Their return to domestic action following the current international break is arguably just as important to them as their opponents as Jose Bordalas’ side aim for a first league win since early September.
Both sides may well go on the attack and that should mean a Sunday night spectacle.
History
Barcelona have a distinct upper hand in this fixture with 33 victories compared to 14 Valencia successes and 18 draws.
Having said that, Valencia have more than held their own in recent seasons, not least in the 2019 Copa del Rey Final and in this corresponding fixture last season when Lionel Messi and Ronald Araujo goals were cancelled out by Mouctar Diakhaby and Maxi Gonzalez in a 2-2 draw.
Barca won the return match 3-2 courtesy of Messi and Antoine Griezmann with Gabriel and Carlos Soler replying for the hosts.
It’s been five years since Valencia won at the Nou Camp as an Ivan Rakitic own goal and Santi Mina strike proved decisive in a 2-1 win. Messi was again Barca’s marksman.
Betting Tip
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Barcelona vs Valencia | Total Goals 2-3 @ 2.04 |
| October 18, 03:00 (GMT+8) |
Considering the sides are locked on 12 points in the early La Liga table – albeit Barcelona have a game in hand – the SBOTOP La Liga 2021 betting odds predict anything but an evenly matched encounter.
A repeat of last season’s draw – correct score 2-2 – is available @ 17.50 and the 1X2 Draw itself @ 4.20.
It’s the Catalans all the way as far as a victory is concerned with the hosts tipped 1X2 @ 1.51 First Half 1X2 @ 2.08, Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 1.87, 1.25 @ 2.17 and First Half Asian Handicap -0.50 @ 2.08.
Valencia can be tipped at a much more attractive 1×2@ 6.00 AND First Half 1X2 @ 4.90, whereas Asian Handicap odds have them backed +0.75 @ 2.33 and First Half Asian Handicap 0.25 @ 2.28.
I think there will be goals but not too many of them. That is why I am going to opt for a safer, more stable prediction of 2-3 total goals.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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