As the La Liga season reaches its midpoint, FC Barcelona finds itself in a precarious position, trailing Real Madrid by 10 points and Atletico Madrid by 6. With a must-win match against Valencia on Sunday, the Catalan giants need to capitalize on the opportunity to stay in the title race.
Head-to-Head Record and Recent Form
The two teams have already faced each other in the first round, with Barcelona emerging victorious 2:1 at the Estadio Mestalla, thanks to a Robert Lewandowski brace. Currently, Valencia is struggling to stay afloat, sitting in the 19th position and fighting to avoid relegation.
SquadRotation and Predicted Lineup
During Saturday’s press conference, Hansi Flick hinted at potential rotations in the Barcelona squad for the Valencia match. Polish fans are eager to know what this means for Wojciech Szczęsny and Robert Lewandowski.
According to leading sports publications, including „Mundo Deportivo”, „Sport”, „AS”, and „L’Esportiu”, Wojciech Szczęsny is expected to start on the bench, while Robert Lewandowski is likely to start from the first minute. The „AS” newspaper suggests that Wojciech Szczęsny will feature in the Copa del Rey and Champions League, while Inaki Pena will take the reins in La Liga.
Defensive and Midfield Conundrum
There is no consensus among the media outlets regarding the lineup for the defensive and midfield positions. While some predict a four-man defense, others suggest a three-man backline. The midfield trio is also subject to change, with some expecting a more attacking lineup, while others predict a more defensive approach.
Kick-Off and Live Coverage
The FC Barcelona vs Valencia match is scheduled to kick off on Sunday, January 26 at 21:00 CET. Fans can follow the live text commentary on Sport.pl and the Sport.pl LIVE mobile app.
La Liga Standings and Relegation Battle
Valencia’s dismal form has resulted in the team being relegation-threatened, with only Elche CF beneath them in the standings. Meanwhile, Barcelona’s 10-point deficit to Real Madrid means they cannot afford to drop any more points if they want to stay in the title race.
La Liga Statistics and Fun Facts
Did you know that FC Barcelona has won 22 La Liga titles, while Valencia has won six? Additionally, the top scorer in La Liga this season is Karim Benzema with 12 goals, followed closely by Robert Lewandowski with 11 goals.
What to Expect
With the stakes high, FC Barcelona needs a convincing win to regain momentum and put pressure on their rivals. Valencia, on the other hand, will be fighting for pride and survival in the top tier. Expect an intense and thrilling match, with both teams giving it their all. Will Barcelona’s rotation policy pay off, or will Valencia cause an upset? Only time will tell.