Valencia striker Moreno who had a knee injury said that he’s ready to perform against Barcelona. Quique Setien aimed Rodrigo on their radar as they need a replacement for injured Luis Suarez. As you know Suarez will miss the whole season.
Valencia head to head against Barcelona
Looking for their first home league win against Barcelona since 2006/07, Valencia has now scored in 18 consecutive La Liga matches at any venue. They have secured seven draws in 12 home La Liga meetings with the defending champions since that victory, finding the back of the net in each of their last four. With three of Valencia’s eight openings La Liga goals at homecoming inside the first half-hour, an early lead to the hosts will not surprise. Neither will a relatively low card count for them, with Valencia’s average of 1.95 yellow cards per league match being one of the weakest in the disciplinary charts.
Quique Setien is disappointed by his team’s preparation
Interestingly, Barcelona has conceded the opener within 30 minutes in three of their last four La Liga away trips. However, a surge would likely be due if the same happened here, with Barcelona attaining more second-half wins on the road this La Liga season than any other team after 20 weeks. Furthermore, Barcelona currently boasts an incredible La Liga goal difference of 19 in the 15 minutes on either side of half-time at any venue. Much of that is down to a significant 10 goal difference on the road in the 30th-60th minute period.
Will not play
From Valencia: Piccini – Knee injury; Questionable: Rodrigo – Knee injury, Vallejo – Foot injury.
From Barcelona: Dembele – Thigh injury, Suarez – Knee injury; Questionable: Turan – Injury.
Players to watch
Valencia’s Kévin Gameiro has not scored more against any other club than his six against Barcelona. That record includes goals in his last two H2H league starts.
Opening the scoring in 40% of his last ten La Liga appearances, Lionel Messi has 28 career goals against Valencia. That tally includes goals in nine of his previous 13 league H2H encounters.
Stat attack: Valencia has witnessed a player from either side sent off in four of their last seven competitive matches.
Barcelona has won the ‘race to three corners’ just three times 15 per cent this La Liga season.
Both teams have scored in the last nine top-flight H2H meetings.