Valencia CF vs. FC Barcelona Prediction on August 17, 2024

Match info

FC Barcelona will visit the Estadio de Mestalla to play Valencia CF on Saturday night (August 17 at 9:30 p.m. local time) as 2024–25 La Liga (officially named LaLiga EA Sports due to reasons of sponsorship) kicks off, thereby ushering in a new era in the rich club history.

Meeting statistics

The current form of Valencia CF

To begin with, Valencia’s players may be dreaming of the opportunity to launch a true European assault this time around after finishing in the top half of the standings the previous season. Nevertheless, Rubén Baraja’s team hobbled across the finish line, even though it may have opened 2024 amid an arresting flurry. In their final seven La Liga games, “Los Ches” were unable to manage a single win, including a resounding 1-3 loss to Girona on May 19. Similarly, Valencia earned an unwelcome reputation for their difficulties at home, and they may be subjected to a harsh evaluation when play begins on Saturday night. After returning from the international break in March, Baraja’s team hasn’t won at the Mestalla and has only managed one point from their final four La Liga matches in front of their own fans.

On Saturday night, Valencia will once again be without players like Fran Pérez, Moutcar Diakhaby, Jaume Doménech, and defensive star José Gayà, all of whom are still battling with long-term injury concerns from the previous campaign. Rafa Mir arrived from Sevilla this summer on a season-long loan swap and is expected to lead the “Los Ches”’s attack. Giorgi Mamardashvili will start in goal this weekend, despite protracted rumors of a possible move away from the Mestalla this summer. Hugo Duro, who scored 13 goals in La Liga last season and won Valencia’s Golden Boot, will play with Mir in the final third.

The current form of FC Barcelona

Regarding the visitors, they seem to be enjoying life under new manager “Hansi” Flick, and they could be ushering in a new era on Saturday night. The former Bayern München manager is hoping to lead a true drive this season after ultimately concluding the title pursuit 10 points behind their fierce “El Clásico” rivals Real Madrid.

Barcelona will be salivating at the chance to make a bold statement right away, after winning their last four La Liga games before the summer break and storming to a runner-up finish. Their most recent seven La Liga meetings against “Los Ches” have resulted in 19 points, dating back to a 2-2 draw in December 2020. They won an exciting 4-2 triumph when they welcomed Valencia to Catalonia on April 29. No further explanation is needed for why euros bookies awarded Barcelona the role of a favorite.

Ronald Araújo, who underwent hamstring surgery last month after developing a chronic condition while traveling with Uruguay for this summer’s Copa América, won’t play for “Barça” on Saturday night. The 21-year-old midfield talisman Pedri also won’t play at the Mestalla, even though it’s possible that he’ll return to first-team practice later this month. Although Dani Olmo was reportedly paid £51 million by Barcelona to be officially introduced last week, the Spanish international’s successful registration hasn’t yet been formally acknowledged. Lamine Yamal, a 17-year-old Euro 2024 sensation, may not have played during Barcelona’s preseason practices, but he’s anticipated to contribute in some capacity in this match.

Head-to-head

Barcelona won 26 of their 51 head-to-head duels with Valencia, who prevailed eight times. Seventeen matches ended in a draw.

Match analytics

Kicking off a new chapter on Saturday night, Flick’s new team will be looking to make an early impression at the Mestalla this weekend. “Barça“ hopes to continue where it left off in May and is determined to mount a serious title challenge this year. Knowing that the Catalans have 19 points from their seven prior La Liga meetings against Valencia, we’re backing an away win this weekend; furthermore, the away team will win both halves.

Tip: Half-time/Full-time 90 Mins – FC Barcelona/FC Barcelona, with odds of 2.65 on Kikobet.