Valencia vs Barcelona

15/12- This match will be a giant taking on another giant. Both the teams are equally competent but there can be a few twists in the tale. Barcelona will be confident after last week’s win against Deportivo La Coruna, Valencia would be quite happy with an away draw last week at Osasuna. Valencia are playing at home but the problem they are facing this season is the home disadvantage, out of the seven games played this season at home among the Laliga matches Valencia has lost 4 matches which is more than 50% loss at home, the last loss being just a couple of weeks ago against Athletic Bilbao. Valencia in the past month has dropped out of the top 5 and is struggling to maintain the pace with the league leaders.

 

With Baraja, Joaquin and Villa Sanchez missing due to injury, Valencia have 3 of their top 5 scorers this season out and this is turning out to be a big blow. The home fans just need to hope that their solo strike force Morientes can show some glimpse of the magic he showed in the earlier matches. Henry will also not play for Barca and that is something the Valencia defense will be about but when they see the likes of Ronaldinho and Messi powering at the goal they might just not have the time to think that.

 

The match would have been a very tight and close encounter if both sides were at full strength but Valencia look to be out of venom and Barcelona are looking to capitalize, the only thing that can pull Barcelona back is the statistical factor that shows that they have managed only one away victory this season. Hence Barcelona would be trying to close the gap on leader Real Madrid when the whistle blows this Saturday in Valencia, but lets wait and watch!

 

Prediction: 1-1