Barcelona vs Valencia tips and predictions: Barca to edge low-scoring contest in La Liga

The Catalans are coming off of a painful loss against Real Madrid in the previous round, their first defeat in La Liga after 10 consecutive rounds.

Barcelona suffered huge back-to-back losses, firstly losing the second leg against PSG in the UEFA Champions League, and then El Clasico against Madrid. 

That ended their unbeaten record in La Liga but they’re still going strong at home, unbeaten since a 5-3 defeat against Villareal in late January.

Since then, they have managed eight wins and two draws in La Liga, and Xavi has shared the good news that he plans to stay on as Barca manager next season. 

The Catalans’ only objective is to finish second after last weekend’s slip-up allowed Girona to jump ahead by a single point.

However, Xavi’s side has a game in hand and a superior goal difference, registering a league-leading 64 goals so far this campaign.

Valencia suffered defeat in the last round, going down 2-1 against Real Betis, which continued their recent trend of being involved in closely contested matches.

Each of their previous eight matches have been decided by one or fewer goals, with no more than one goal scored in five of those contests.

The Bats are still in contention for a European place as they sit just one point behind Betis, so this is an important game, but Sergiu expects them to fall just short against the host's stingy defence.

 

Key stats

- There have been under 3.5 goals in five of Barcelona’s last six La Liga matches

- Before El Clasico, Barcelona recorded six consecutive clean sheets

- There have been under 2.5 goals in five of Valencia’s last six matches

- At least one side has failed to score in seven of Valencia’s last nine matches

 

Suggested bets

Both teams to score: No

Barcelona to win to nil

Under 2.75 goals

• Sergiu Baltuta provides tips as SVB Tips on Tipstrr