Valencia vs Barcelona – Match preview and team news

Barcelona will meet Valencia in their next La Liga encounter on Sunday as they look to continue their winning run in the new season.

Valencia vs Barcelona – Match preview and team news

Valencia CF faces a severe squad selection crisis ahead of their home clash at Mestalla against league leaders Barcelona. Manager Carlos Corberán is dealing with a heavily depleted roster, with six key first-team players officially ruled out due to injury.

The defensive unit is particularly stretched as José Copete recovers from meniscus surgery and Justin de Haas remains sidelined with a serious ankle problem.

In midfield and attack, Umar Sadiq's hamstring issue, alongside severe knee and ACL injuries to Sergi Canós and Diego López, deprives the team of critical tactical options.

At the same time, Guido Rodríguez remains out with a muscle tear. Furthermore, late fitness tests are required for Dimitri Foulquier, Luis Rioja, and backup goalkeeper Kayne van Oevelen.

If they fail to clear medical checks, Valencia will be forced to rely on a highly experimental 5-3-2 setup anchored by Stole Dimitrievski in goal.

FC Barcelona heads into Mestalla in high spirits with major squad reinforcements ready for Hansi Flick's side.

The Blaugrana received a massive administrative boost as marquee summer signings Gabriel Jesus and goalkeeper Dominik Livaković were successfully registered and named in the travelling squad.

In midfield, the long-awaited return of Gavi provides a boost. The team received a brief scare when star winger Lamine Yamal missed full group training due to a minor knock, but Flick confirmed the teenager is fully fit and expected to start.

Long-term absentees Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji remain unavailable due to knee injuries, alongside academy prospect Jesse Bisiwu.

Nevertheless, Barcelona boasts excellent squad depth, with Joan Garcia likely starting in goal and Raphinha spearheading the attack alongside Yamal and Fermín López.

Valencia CF has endured a miserable start to their new domestic campaign, managing just a single point from their opening three league fixtures. After showing brief defensive resilience in an opening 0-0 stalemate against RC Celta de Vigo, Los Che slumped to consecutive defeats. A narrow 1-0 home loss to Real Betis Balompié was followed by a disastrous 3-1 away defeat against RC Deportivo de La Coruña, leaving Carlos Corberán's side desperate for a tactical reset. 1

FC Barcelona has enjoyed a perfect start to their league journey under Hansi Flick, maintaining a 100% winning record after three matchdays. The Blaugrana opened their campaign with an emphatic 5-0 away triumph at Elche CF, before securing a mature 2-0 home victory against Athletic Club. They maintained their scoring touch last week by overpowering Rayo Vallecano 5-2 at home, confirming their status as early title favourites.

Valencia: Dimitrievski; Diakhaby, Tarrega, Martinez; Maffeo, Guerra, Urgrinic, Pepelu, Gaya; Sato, Danjuma

Barcelona: J Garcia; E Garcia, Cubarsi, Martin, Espart; Pedri, Bernal; Yamal, Fermin, Gordon; Raphinha

The Valencia vs Barcelona La Liga match will be broadcast live in the UK on Premier Sports 2.

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