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Valencia logo
La Liga
Nov 30, 2014 at 8pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

0-1

FT(HT: 0-0)
Busquets (94')

Preview: Valencia vs. Barcelona

Sports Mole previews the La Liga fixture between Valencia and Barcelona.

Barcelona travel to Valencia on Sunday knowing that they need to continue to rack up victories to keep pace with Real Madrid at the top of the table.

Last season's Champions League winners have won 15 matches in a row in all competitions to leave Barcelona trailing in second place, but coach Luis Enrique will know that victory at the Mestalla will send a message to their title rivals.

Enrique will make a number of alterations to the side that beat APOEL on Tuesday night, with Claudio Bravo, Xavi, Sergio Busquets and Neymar all expected to return to the starting lineup.

However, Barcelona have been dealt a blow with the news that Thomas Vermaelen will be missing for the majority of the season after being told that he requires thigh surgery.

Valencia began the season in impressive form, winning five of their first seven league games, but just two victories in five has seen them lose ground on Spain's big three.

However, despite suffering their second away defeat of the campaign at Levante last weekend, boss Nuno Espirito Santo will take confidence from his side possessing the best home record in the league, which has included a win over champions Atletico Madrid.

Santo could decide to introduce Dani Parejo into his starting lineup after he made a scoring appearance from the bench last week.

Valencia:

Recent form: WLWWDL

Possible starting lineup: Diego Alves, Barragan, Otamendi, Mustafi, Javi Fuego, Carles Gil, Jose Gaya, Andre Gomes, Negredo, Parejo, Rodrigo

Barcelona:

Form in La Liga: WWLLWW
Form in all competitions: LLWWWW

Possible starting lineup: Bravo, Pique, Mathieu, Alba, Alves, Busquets, Rakitic, Xavi, Neymar, Suarez, Messi

Sports Mole says: 1-2


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Written by
Darren Plant
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Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates with his teammates after setting a new La Liga goalscoring record during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs Sevilla FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on November 22, 2014
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid28186459273260
2Barcelona26183571254657
3Atletico MadridAtletico27168344182656
4Athletic Bilbao271310445242149
5Villarreal27128749381144
6Real BetisBetis2711883533241
7Mallorca28117102834-640
8Celta Vigo28116114141039
9Rayo Vallecano279992929036
10Sevilla279993236-436
11GironaGirona2897123641-534
12Real Sociedad27104132328-534
13Getafe2789102322133
14Osasuna2671273237-533
15Espanyol2777132639-1328
16Valencia28610123146-1528
17AlavesAlaves2869133242-1027
18Leganes2769122440-1627
19Las PalmasLas Palmas2867153247-1525
20Real ValladolidValladolid2844201863-4516


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