The pressure in weighing heavy on Xavi at present, and there will be a huge need to get back to winning ways domestically for Barcelona on Saturday. However, there will also be pressure on Valencia after they have suffered defeats in each of their last two.
La Liga Preview
Barcelona come into the latest round of matches in La Liga with questions to answer, as they have won just once in their previous three. That run of form has seen them drop to fourth in the standings, and they are now seven points off the top of the standings in their race to successfully defend the Spanish top-flight title.
Huge questions have been asked on Xavi over the last couple of days, as Barcelona were humbled in front of their home fans in La Liga last weekend by shock leaders Girona. Barcelona were level in that match after 19 minutes following Robert Lewandowski’s effort, before Girona pulled away with a stunning period of attacking play. A response will be needed this weekend.
A response will also be expected from Valencia this weekend, as they come into this match after suffering defeats in each of their previous two matches. Meanwhile, they have lost three of their last four, and are without a win over the same period of matches. That run of form has seen them drop to eleventh in the league standings.
Their most recent defeat came in an ill-tempered affair on the road against Getafe. Valencia saw two players sent off in the second half of that fixture, before the hosts stole the points with three minutes remaining. Valencia failed to record a single shot on target in that clash, and a better display will be needed against the reigning champions on Saturday.
Valencia vs Barcelona Head to Head
Barcelona have recorded victories in each of their last five matches against Valencia in La Liga. That includes a 1-0 victory in this exact fixture last term. In fact, Barcelona have recorded victories in each of their last three away matches against their rivals.
Valencia vs Barcelona Prediction
Both of these sides will need a return to winning ways this weekend. But, we will be siding with Barcelona getting their campaign back on track, as they have an impressive away record at the Mestalla.
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