Valencia vs. Barcelona: Lionel Messi Will Lead Barca to Road Victory

Valencia hosts Barcelona on Wednesday in a match between two of the top teams in La Liga, at least in early season play.

Valencia is 3-0 while Barcelona is 2-0-1.

Despite the slight point edge to Valencia and the fact that they're the home squad, Lionel Messi and Barca will be too much to contain.

Barcelona has scored 15 goals in its first three contests. The only two goals that they have allowed came in a 2-2 draw to Real Sociedad.

While Valencia's last two matches have been 1-0 wins, they got the season started with a 4-3 win over Racing Santander.

Anything can always happen in the world of soccer, but it's hard to see Barcelona's attack being shut down. Assuming I am right there, Valencia's chances in a shootout aren't good.

The problem is that while Messi has been their top scorer with five goals, Cesc Fábregas, David Villa and Xavi have all buried two goals.

If they try to shut Messi down, the other guys will have no problem beating Valencia goalie Vicente Guaita Panadero.

Roberto Soldado has actually scored as many goals as Messi has this season, with five. Adil Rami is the only other Valencia player to record a goal. In a match when one team has several prolific scorers, and the other has one, the team with several will win every time.

Goalkeeper Victor Valdés and the Barcelona defenders will be able to shift their attention on Soldado. Valencia is a strong club, but Barcelona may well be the best in the world.

I’m not necessarily expecting a blowout here. The home field should help Valencia out, and they are certainly not a bad team. At this point, they just don’t have the weapons to stick with Barcelona.

Upsets make sports great. I certainly can’t discount the possibility that one could occur here. But making a prediction, Barcelona has too many guns to not pick them for a win.

Valencia will have their moments, but they won’t beat Barcelona.

Prediction: Barcelona-5, Valencia-2