Ace Football previews the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Valladolid, and offers the latest stats, betting tips, and team news.
Barcelona welcome Real Valladolid to Camp Nou on Monday night hoping to make it six wins on the bounce in La Liga.
Atletico Madrid’s 1-0 defeat at Sevilla on Sunday has presented a golden opportunity. If Barcelona win against 16th-placed Valladolid, they’ll reclaim second-place from Real Madrid and move to within a point off the top of the table.
This, along with the club’s fine run of form and excellent head-to-head record with Valladolid, should set Barcelona up for a comfortable home victory against the COVID-19 and injury-hit visitors.
FC Barcelona Form & Stats
Barcelona entered the international break in style by thrashing Copa del Rey winners Real Sociedad 6-1. It was the club’s fifth consecutive league win, extended the unbeaten run to 18 matches (W15 D3), and strengthened hopes of a domestic double.
Things are clearly on the up after a tough start to the season. Ronald Koeman’s men are now favorites to win La Liga and can make a serious claim for the title on Monday. Barcelona haven’t lost to Valladolid at home since the Louis Van Gaal days in November 1997 (W10 D3) and are on a five-match winning run against the Pucela.
Lionel Messi, meanwhile, has an excellent record in this fixture. The in-form Blaugrana skipper has had a direct hand in eight goals in his last four appearances (4 goals and 4 assists). And while it’s been three games since Antoine Griezmann last scored against Valladolid, the Frenchman did bag four braces during his first five league encounters with the northwestern side.
Key Team Stats
- Unbeaten in 18 league games (W15 D3), their best run since going 23 games without defeat in 2019.
- Won 13 of their last 14 league games against Real Valladolid (L1).
- Scored at least 2 goals in 6 of their last 7 home games against Real Valladolid.
- Scored 11 times from build-up sequences consisting of 10 or more passes in the league.
- Averaging 10.64 corner-kicks and 1.36 cards at Camp Nou this season.
- Lionel Messi has managed 4 goals and 4 assists in his last 4 appearances against Real Valladolid. He also has an xG of 0.76-per-match.
- If Lionel Messi scores, he’ll have reached 30 goals in all competitions for the 13th successive season.
Real Valladolid Form & Stats
A 1-1 draw with Sevilla last time out extended Valladolid’s unbeaten run to four matches (W1 D3). It’s moved them three points above the relegation zone in 16th-place ahead of the remaining 10 games of the season.
Sergio Gonzalez’s men, however, have slipped up at the back. From boasting the seventh-best defensive record from last season on 43 conceded goals, Valladolid have already seen the ball go into the back of their own net 38 times. They’ve also only kept three clean sheets in the league this term, the joint-lowest haul alongside Levante.
Five positive COVID-19 cases, along with two muscular injuries, have disrupted the Pucela this week. Adding to Sergio’s woes is the suspension of Fabian Orellana, who has been involved in three of the club’s last four league goals (two goals and one assist).
Key Team Stats
- On a 4-match unbeaten run (W1 D3).
- Won only 1 of their last 11 league games (D6 L4).
- Drawn 6 of their last 8 away league games (W1 L1).
- Conceded the first goal in 71% of their 14 away league games.
- Failed to score in 2 of their last 4 away league games.
- Real Valladolid manager Sergio Gonzalez has lost all his 7 league games against Barcelona.
Team News
FC Barcelona
Out: Philippe Coutinho, Ansu Fati, Neto, Gerard Pique, Sergi Roberto.
Doubts: N/A.
Real Valladolid
Out: Luis Perez, Kike Perez, Michel, Joaquin Fernandez, Roberto Jimenez, Fabian Orellana, Jota, Raul Garcia.
Doubts: Kiko Olivas, Pablo Hervias, Marcos de Sousa.
Predicted Line-up
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Top Scorers in La Liga
Head-To-Head Record
Below are some head-to-head stats on each team’s recent form in La Liga.
Betting Tips
More Odds
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