The hosts are currently top of the league standings, with 76 points from 32 games, while the visiting team is in 14th place with 37 points from 32 games.
The league leaders will retain their current position regardless of the outcome of this encounter. The 14th placed team on the other hand can climb to as high as 10th place with a victory in this fixture, while a defeat could leave them in 15th position.
Barcelona unravelingThe Barcelona team that went unbeaten for 39 games are nowhere to be found at this time, as the Catalans have lost three of their last four games. They have seen their lead at the top of the league cut to 3 points, and have also been eliminated from the UEFA Champions League. They will need to get their acts together quickly if they are to ensure this season that promised so much doesn’t end in disaster.
The Blaugrana, managed by Luis Enrique are in poor form, with one win, one draw and three defeats in their last five games in all competitions. This single win was against Athletico Madrid in the first leg of their quarter final Champions League tie (2-1 on April 5).
The league leaders could only manage a draw against Villarreal (2-2 on March 20), but have suffered defeats at the hands of Real Madrid (1-2 on April 2), Real Soceidad (1-0 on April 9), and Athletico Madrid in the Champions League (2-0 on April 13).
Season to forget for ValenciaIt has been a very forgettable season for Valencia, as they have spent a good portion of it racking up losses and sliding down the table. They have nothing to play for any more this season, but will still like to claim the scalp of Almighty Barcelona as a consolation prize.
The Bats, managed by Pako Ayestaran are in poor form, with two wins and three defeats in their last five games in all competitions. These wins include an Europa League victory against Athletic Bilbao (2-1 on March 17), and Sevilla (2-1 on April 10).
The underdogs lost recent games against Levante (1-0 on March 13), Celta Vigo (0-2 on March 20), and Las Palmas (2-1 on April 2).
Lionel Messi has been searching for the 500 goal milestone for four games now, and will be hoping to find the back of the net against in this game to help his team stop the rot. Dani Parejo and Paco Alacer have been the standout players for Valencia in this doom and gloom season, and they will be hoping for a good performance against the front runners in the title race.
Barcelona will halt this form sooner or later, and I suspect this will be the game they return to winning ways. Barcelona to win this game by a comfortable margin.