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Valencia vs Barcelona official line-ups: Team news ahead of La Liga fixture

Valencia welcome Barcelona to the Mestalla on Saturday in the standout fixture of this weekend’s football.

Quique Setien’s side currently sit top of La Liga, leading Real Madrid on goal difference.

However, Barca were unimpressive against Ibiza in the Copa del Rey in midweek, when Antoine Griezmann’s double secured a 2-1 victory.

Valencia are seventh in the table after a mixed season and were thrashed 4-1 by Mallorca last weekend. Despite last year’s Copa del Rey success, Los Che have not beat Barcelona in the league since April 2016.

Here is everything you need to know.

When is it?

The match kicks off at 3pm (BST) on Saturday 25 January.

How can I watch it?

The game will be broadcast live on LaLiga TV via Premier Sports with coverage beginning as early as 11am.

Team news

Valencia: Los Che will be without Dani Parejo due to suspension, while Cristiano Piccini, Goncalo Guedes and Manu Vallejo are all ruled out with injury. However, striker Rodrigo may be able to return from a knee injury amid links that he could move to the Nou Camp this month, meaning Maxi Gomez may well miss out on a place in the starting eleven.

Barcelona: Jordi Alba, Samuel Umtiti and Arturo Vidal are all likely to return, while Nelson Semedo and Ansu Fati could drop to the bench. Ousmane Dembele and Luis Suarez remain absent, while Neto is also a doubt having sprained his ankle against Ibiza.

Official line-ups

Valencia: Domenech; Wass, Paulista, Garay, Gaya; Ferran, Kondogbia, Coquelin, Soler; Gomez, Gameiro

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Piqué, Umtiti, Jordi Alba; Arthur, Busquets, Frenkie de Jong; Messi, Griezmann, Ansu Fati.

Prediction

Valencia have a strong recent record against the Spanish champions, famously defeating them in the Copa del Rey final last year to end the club’s trophy drought. However, Barcelona are likely to be re-motivated after a somewhat disappointing performance against Ibiza under Quique Setien. Antoine Griezmann found form in the fixture, scoring twice, while Lionel Messi was rested. Ultimately, the superior quality should shine through.

Valencia 1-3 Barcelona