Barcelona will be aiming to get back on track in La Liga when they host Valencia on Sunday night in their fourth outing of the 2025-26 campaign.
The defending champions currently sit fourth in the table with seven points from three matches, while Los Che have collected four points so far, leaving them in ninth place.
This fixture was originally scheduled to mark the grand opening of the redeveloped Camp Nou, but with the project still behind schedule, the clash will instead take place at the Johan Cruyff Stadium. The 6,000-seater venue, usually home to Barça’s B team and women’s side, will make history as the smallest ground ever to host a La Liga match.
Despite the unusual setting, Hansi Flick’s men need full focus after stumbling to a 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano before the international break. Barcelona had started strongly with wins over Mallorca and Levante, scoring six goals in the process, but required a comeback against Levante and were far from convincing against Rayo.
Seven points leaves the Catalans two behind leaders Real Madrid, who could extend their advantage earlier in the weekend. Barça also have one eye on Europe, with a tricky Champions League opener against Newcastle United at St James’ Park on September 18.
Valencia, meanwhile, arrive in decent spirits. After drawing with Real Sociedad and losing narrowly to Osasuna, Carlos Corberán’s side hit their stride last time out, cruising to a 3-0 victory over Getafe. Four points from three games represents a steady start, as Los Che look to improve on last season’s 12th-place finish.
The club were busy over the summer, adding eight new faces to the squad, and Corberán will be eager to see consistency from his refreshed side. History, however, is firmly against them. Valencia have beaten Barcelona just 59 times in 230 meetings across all competitions, and they have lost each of the last four encounters, conceding 18 goals in the process.
The corresponding fixture last season ended in a crushing 7-1 win for Barça, and Los Che have not claimed a league victory away to the Catalans since April 2016.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Barcelona will head into Sunday’s clash without several key players, with Marc-André ter Stegen, Gavi, Alejandro Balde, and Frenkie de Jong all sidelined. The absences leave Hansi Flick short of options in midfield, where Marc Casado is expected to partner Pedri, while Dani Olmo looks set to operate in the number 10 role. Up front, Ferran Torres should once again spearhead the attack, as Robert Lewandowski continues to be eased back following a recent hamstring issue.
At the back, Flick may opt for changes, with young defenders Pau Cubarsí and Gerard Martín pushing for starting opportunities after impressing in training.
Valencia, by contrast, arrive with a fully fit squad, giving Carlos Corberán a welcome selection headache. Star midfielder Javi Guerra, whose future has been the subject of speculation despite signing a new contract in the summer, is expected to feature again from the start.
In attack, Arnaut Danjuma and Diego López are both pushing for inclusion after getting on the scoresheet earlier in the campaign, while captain José Gayà will continue to marshal the left flank from his wing-back role.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Barcelona possible starting lineup:
J Garcia; Kounde, E Garcia, Cubarsi, Martin; Pedri, Casado; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Torres
Valencia possible starting lineup:
Agirrezabala; Tarrega, Diakhaby, Copete; Foulquier, Guerra, Santamaria, Gaya; Lopez, Danjuma, Rioja
EXPERT PREDICTION
Barcelona 3-1 Valencia
