Good evening everybody and welcome to another MARCA in English live blog, this time taking you through the LaLiga EASports clash between Barcelona and Valencia from the Johan Cruyff Stadium.
Barcelona is under mounting pressure to find fluency in what will be a landmark occasion for LaLiga. With Camp Nou’s reopening once again delayed, Hansi Flick‘s team will play at the 6,000-seat Johan Cruyff Stadium, which becomes the smallest venue ever to stage a top-flight fixture in Spain.
The defending champions enter the weekend sitting fourth in the table with seven points from their opening three matches. Their campaign began positively with victories over Mallorca and Levante, but a disjointed 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano exposed vulnerabilities and left Barcelona trailing early pacesetters Real Madrid.
Valencia, meanwhile, arrive in Catalonia buoyed by a 3-0 win over Getafe before the break that lifted them to ninth with four points from three games. It was the perfect response to a slow start that included a draw with Real Sociedad and defeat to Osasuna.
Valencia‘s record against Barcelona offers little encouragement: they have lost their last four meetings in all competitions, conceding 18 goals in the process. Last season’s 7-1 league defeat in Barcelona and a 5-0 Copa del Rey hammering underline the gulf between the sides.
Barcelona vs Valencia LIVE – Latest Updates
Where to watch Barcelona vs Valencia?
For fans in the United Kingdom, Barcelona vs Valencia can be seen on Premier Sports 1.
US-based fans will be able to see Barcelona vs Valencia on ESPN, ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes.
What time does Barcelona vs Valencia start?
Barcelona vs Valencia is a 9:00pm CEST kick-off, which is local time in Spain. That means fans in the UK will find the game starting at 8:00pm BST.
Fans in the USA can tune in to watch Barcelona vs Valencia at 3.00 pm ET / 12.00 pm PT.
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Barcelona vs Valencia Possible Lineups?
Key names including Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Frenkie de Jong, Alejandro Balde and long-term absentee Gavi remain unavailable, while teenage star Lamine Yamal has also been ruled out with a groin issue.
Robert Lewandowski is back training but still being managed carefully after a hamstring problem, meaning Ferran Torres is expected to continue leading the attack.
Dani Olmo will shoulder creative responsibility in the number ten role, with Pedri and academy graduate Marc Casado anchoring midfield. At the back, Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin are pushing to start as Flick considers freshening up his defensive unit.
Coach Carlos Corberán enjoyed a busy summer recruitment drive and has a largely fit squad to choose from this weekend. Midfielder Javi Guerra, whose future has been the subject of speculation despite signing a new deal, will once again be central to their game plan.
Arnaut Danjuma and Diego Lopez, both on the scoresheet already this season, are expected to spearhead the attack, while captain José Gayà provides leadership and width from left wing-back.
Barcelona possible starting XI: J Garcia; Kounde, E Garcia, Cubarsi, Martin; Pedri, Casado; F Lopez, Olmo, Raphinha; Torres
Valencia possible starting XI: Agirrezabala; Tarrega, Diakhaby, Copete; Foulquier, Guerra, Santamaria, Gaya; Lopez, Danjuma, Rioja