Barcelona Target Fourth Straight Win in Valencia Showdown

Barcelona will look to maintain their perfect start to the 2026-27 La Liga season when they travel to Mestalla to face Valencia on Sunday afternoon.

Contents

Team News
Possible Lineup
How to Watch
Match Prediction

Hansi Flick’s reigning champions have collected maximum points from their opening three matches and currently sit at the top of the table with nine points. Barcelona have also made a remarkable attacking start, scoring 12 goals while conceding only two.

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The Catalan giants began their title defence with a 5-0 demolition of Elche before defeating Athletic Bilbao 2-0. They then produced another five-goal display last weekend, beating Rayo Vallecano 5-2 to maintain their 100% record.

Raphinha has been one of Barcelona’s standout performers, scoring five goals and providing one assist in his opening three league appearances. The Brazilian will once again be expected to play a major role in Flick’s attack as Barcelona look to make it four wins from four.

Valencia, meanwhile, have endured a difficult opening to the campaign. Los Che have managed just one point from their first three games and currently sit 17th. A goalless draw with Celta Vigo was followed by defeats against Real Betis and Deportivo La Coruna.

Carlos Corberan’s side will nevertheless draw confidence from their most recent meeting with Barcelona, having secured a surprise 3-1 victory in the corresponding fixture last season. That result ended Valencia’s six-year wait for a league win over the Catalan giants.

Barcelona will be keen to avoid another upset and enter their Champions League campaign against Feyenoord with another three points secured.

barcelona players. (photo credit: skysport media)

Team News

Valencia have several injury concerns ahead of Sunday’s difficult home fixture. Justin de Haas, Sergi Canos, Jose Copete, Diego Lopez, Guido Rodriguez and Umar Sadiq are all ruled out. Sadiq, who is dealing with a hamstring injury, is particularly notable after scoring Valencia’s only goal of the season so far.

Dimitri Foulquier and Luis Rioja remain doubts and will require further assessment before Corberan decides whether they can feature. With Sadiq unavailable, Ryunosuke Sato and Arnaut Danjuma are expected to be given opportunities in the attacking areas.

Barcelona also have a number of absentees. Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji are unavailable with knee injuries, while Jesse Bisiwu is sidelined after suffering a contusion. Gavi is another doubt due to a knee problem.

New signing Rodri is expected to feature from the bench once again as Flick manages his return and integration into the team. Marc Bernal and Pedri are likely to retain their places in central midfield.

Raphinha should continue in attack following his excellent start to the season. Fermin Lopez is expected to operate as the number 10, with Lamine Yamal and Anthony Gordon providing width.