Valencia vs Barcelona LIVE: Lionel Messi leads Quique Setien’s side at the Mestalla
Barcelona travel to Valencia today in La Liga as Quique Setien’s side continue to adapt to their new manager’s demands.
Barca, who are top of the league but are level on points with Real Madrid, have beaten Granada in La Liga and Ibiza in the Copa del Rey so far under Setien’s charge, but have lacked incision in those games and this will be their first serious test.
Valencia are eighth in the league but were hammered by Mallorca last weekend as captain Daniel Parejo was shown a red card, and they will be desperate to take a big scalp with Barca looking unusually vulnerable. Follow all the latest action below:
Preview
Predicted line-ups
Valencia: Domenech; Wass, Paulista, Diakhaby, Gaya; Cheryshev, Kondogbia, Coquelin, Soler; Rodrigo, Gameiro
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Lenglet, Umtiti, Pique; Roberto, Busquets, De Jong, Rakitic, Alba; Griezmann, Messi
Prediction
Valencia have a strong recent record against the Spanish champions, famously defeating them in the Copa del Rey final last year to end the club’s trophy drought. However, Barcelona are likely to be re-motivated after a somewhat disappointing performance against Ibiza under Quique Setien. Antoine Griezmann found form in the fixture, scoring twice, while Lionel Messi was rested. Ultimately, the superior quality should shine through.
Valencia 1-3 Barcelona
