STAR PREVIEW: Barcelona v Real Valladolid

Barcelona had a rare weekend off as last weekend’s El Clasico postponed due to political tensions on Catalonia, and they return to La Liga with a chance to take top spot once again. Barcelona are currently second, a point behind the leaders Granada, but with a game in hand, and they are expected to beat Real Valladolid.

Ernesto Valverde’s side had a wobble when getting away with a 0-0 draw at Dortmund and then a 2-0 defeat to current leaders Granada, but since then they have won six in a row and they look in a better place.

The front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann is a match for any defence in football and the strong early season form of Suarez and Griezmann – who have nine goals between them so far in the league – is proving to be very helpful for the Catalans.

Barcelona v Real Valladolid
La Liga
20:15 Premier 1 HD / LaLiga TV

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Maximum 10 matches, since 2000)
FEB 2019 LA LIGA Barcelona 1-0 Valladolid
AUG 2018 LA LIGA Valladolid 0-1 Barcelona
MAR 2014 LA LIGA Valladolid 1-0 Barcelona
OCT 2013 LA LIGA Barcelona 4-1 Valladolid
MAY 2013 LA LIGA Barcelona 2-1 Valladolid
DEC 2012 LA LIGA Valladolid 1-3 Barcelona
MAY 2010 LA LIGA Barcelona 4-0 Valladolid
JAN 2010 LA LIGA Valladolid 0-3 Barcelona
APR 2009 LA LIGA Valladolid 0-1 Barcelona
NOV 2008 LA LIGA Barcelona 6-0 Valladolid

Real Valladolid are currently ninth in the table, but they are unbeaten in five games, the latest of them an impressive 2-0 victory against Eibar. Sergio Gonzalez’s side has been very solid this season – losing just twice, and that record becomes more notable when you realise that six of their ten games have come against sides in the top half of La Liga.

Valladolid have drawn games with Real Madrid, Granada and Atletico Madrid, which is no mean feat, and impressively they also boast a tighter defence than Barca this season, conceding nine goals to Barca’s 10 having played a game more.

Barcelona have the tools to break them down, but if Valladoid show the same sort of resilience they have through the season then they can keep Barcelona closer than most and the favourites might have to work for their win. A couple of correct scores might be the way to go.

RECOMMENDED BETS (scale of 1-100 points)
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