Valencia vs Barcelona: Preview, predictions and lineups

Having endured a torrid 2023/24 campaign, Barcelona kick off the new season under new management.

Hansi Flick has replaced club legend Xavi Hernandez in the dugout following a successful spell at Bayern Munich and significantly less fruitful stint with the German national team. The 59-year-old has had an entire summer to work with his squad – well, those that haven’t been competing internationally – and will need to make swift improvements on the pitch.

Barca’s woeful 3-0 friendly defeat to Monaco won’t have boosted morale before a trip to Valencia this Saturday but the Catalan giants are still primed to get off to a winning start in 2024/25.

Valencia only just managed a top-half finish last season under Ruben Baraja and a quiet transfer window will have tempered expectations of an improved campaign. Saturday’s hosts haven’t beaten Barca since January 2020 but did earn a respectable 1-1 draw in this fixture last term.

Here is 90min’s preview of Valencia’s clash with Barca.

Valencia vs Barcelona H2H Record (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

Valencia are missing several players for Barca’s visit including left-back Jose Gaya, who is still sidelined with a muscle injury. Elsewhere in defence, Mouctar Diakhaby is unavailable for the foreseeable future following the horrific knee injury he sustained against Real Madrid last season.

Giorgi Mamardashvili has been linked with Liverpool in recent days but should still start between the sticks for Valencia, while forward Hugo Duro will be aiming to continue his impressive 2023/24 form that saw him score 13 La Liga goals.

Valencia predicted lineup vs Barcelona (4-4-2): Mamardashvili; Correia, Tarega, Yarek, Vazquez; Almeida, Guillamon, Pepelu, Tejon; Mir, Duro.

Barca are missing five important figures for their opening day clash with Valencia, including the exceptional midfield trio of Gavi,…