Primera Liga: Barcelona vs Valencia preview

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April 17th, 2015
Back Primera Liga: Barcelona vs Valencia preview

League leaders Barcelona face a tough test on Saturday as they are visited by in-form Valencia. Barcelona have recorded a convincing 3-1 Champions League win at Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday but now they have to focus back on the domestic league and keep Real Madrid away from the top spot. The reverse fixture was won by Barcelona but it wasn't easy, the Catalan giants needed a stoppage-time goal from Sergio Busquets to claim the three points. Valencia have won the last meeting at Camp Nou, Paco Alcacer scored the decisive goal in a 3-2 success last season.

In 2009 Barcelona became the first Spanish team to win a treble, this season they can repeat that achievement as they are close to winning the league title, they will play the Copa del Rey final and have almost made the Champions League semi-finals. Nothing is won yet though, as Real Madrid are just two points behind them in the league table. Barcelona are on an eight-match unbeaten run on the domestic front. Andres Iniesta might be unavailable due to an injury he picked up in Paris but the formidable attacking trio of Messi, Neymar and Suarez should be ready to strike.

Valencia are unbeaten in their last ten matches, they have won seven and drawn three. That good streak took them close to third spot, they are just one point behind Atletico Madrid with seven games left in the season. They have Sevilla on their tails though, so they might lose the fourth spot if they don't keep up the pace. Last Monday Valencia secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over Levante, with Paco Alcacer,Sofiane Feghouli and Alvaro Negredo finding the back of the net. Pablo Piatti and left-back Jose Luis Gaya are injured but defender Nicolas Otamendi will make his return from suspension.

Probable line-ups:

Barcelona: Bravo - Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba - Busquets, Xavi, Rakitic - Neymar, Suarez, Messi

Valencia: Diego Alves - Cancelo, Mustafi, Otamendi, Vezo - Feghouli, Parejo, Fuego, Andre Gomes - Alcacer, Rodrigo

My prediction: Barcelona to win 3-2.

Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:

Barcelona win - 1.22 Draw - 7.00 Valencia win - 12.00

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