(Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)
Valencia vs Barcelona
Saturday 17 October 2009
Estadio Mestalla
Spanish La Liga Primera Football
Kickoff: 22:00 CET
Barcelona
Barcelona top the La Liga table and are a perfect six for six in the young season.
Truth be told, Barcelona have not even been so much as troubled by any team as they’ve enjoyed their first class seating en route to a perfect start.
Their most recent 1-0 win over Almeria was the smallest margin of victory they have experienced this season, and even then, they thoroughly dominated the match.
In fact, Almeria didn’t have a single shot on target in the match. If that wasn’t enough to fully express their dominance in the match, Almeria didn’t actually have a shot off target either. No shots, at all!
Pep Guardiola will know that his club’s first real test of the season awaits them as the Blaugrana travel to the Mestalla for this Barcelona vs Valencia match.
Thus far it has been smooth sailing, but with the attacking ability of David Villa (if he his fit), David Silva and Ever Banega, Valencia will pose a threat Barcelona have not yet faced.
Valencia
David Villa could return from a torn thigh muscle to face Barcelona when Valencia host the champions on Saturday.
Villa, who withdrew from Spain’s final two World Cup qualifiers, would be a giant boost for Los Che as they are already without a few first team regulars.
Villa’s importance to Valencia’s attack is immeasurable as the Spanish international has accounted for six goals in six games for Valencia, half of their total tally.
In addition to the Villa injury, Unai Emery will be without Joaquin, who is expected to miss three weeks, while Carlos Marchena will be out for approximately one month after injuring himself while on international duty.
The injuries come at the worst possible time for Valencia, who have been relatively impressive in their first six games.
Already trailing Barcelona by seven points in the league, this will be a crucial match for Los Che if they are to have any chance of contending this season.
Prediction
Last season, Barcelona won 4-0 at the Nou Camp in the Barcelona vs Valencia fixture, but Valencia held Barca to a 2-2 draw at the Mestalla.
This has the potential to be the match of the weekend. Both teams are extremely strong offensively and will undoubtedly play to their strengths. Thus, expect lots of goals.
It should be a cracking match!
Valencia vs Barcelona Prediction: Barcelona will win, 3-1
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