New Delhi: Club football is back after an ages long international break and Barcelona will return to the league with their home game against Real Valladolid. Barcelona will face Valladolid just days before travelling to Santiago Bernabéu for the season’s second El Clasico. Barcelona are currently sitting at third in the La Liga table.
Barcelona are just four points behind the league leaders Atletico with a game in hand. As Atletico faced a shocking defeat from Sevilla, the La Liga title race is once again wide open.
Preview
Barcelona are entering the match with a 18-game unbeaten run in La Liga and they will surely try to extend it before facing Real Madrid on Saturday in a crucial El Clasico.
On the other hand, Valladolid are facing a relegation battle with just four points clear of the last place Alaves and they have won just one of their last eleven games.
Head-to-Head
Barcelona has won eight of their last nine matches against Valladolid, with the only win for Valladolid in 2013-14 campaign at Estadio Jose Zorilla. Earlier in this campaign, Barcelona defeated Valladolid 3-0 in an away game.
Prediction: Barcelona 3-0 Valladolid
Team News
Barcelona
Gerard Pique is back in training with the group, but he may be rested due to the next game being El Clasico. Lionel Messi and Frenkie de Jong have the risk of getting suspended for the game against Real Madrid if they get a yellow card in this game, so the duo may be rested.
Sergi Roberto and Ronald Araujo are also back to fitness, but Philippe Coutinho and Ansu Fati are still in the recovering process.
Valladolid
Sergio Gonzalez has a lot of problems as five players of his regular playing squad have tested positive for COVID-19. Fabio Orellana is suspended after picking his fifth yellow card of the season against Sevilla.
Predicted Playing XIs
Barcelona (3-4-3): Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (GK); Oscar Mingueza, Ronald Araujo, Clement Lenglet; Sergino Dest, Sergio Busquets, Pedri, Jordi Alba; Antoine Griezmann, Martin Brathwaite, Ousmane Dembele
Real Valladolid (4-4-2): Jordi Masip (GK); Saidy Janko, Bruno Gonzalez, Javi Sanchez, Lucas Olaza; Oscar Plano, Roque Mesa, Ruben Alcaraz, Toni Villa; Kenan Kodro, Sergi Guardiola
When and Where to watch
Date: 06th April, 2021
Time: 12:30 AM
Streaming: Free streaming on the official Facebook page of La Liga
La Liga is not telecasted on any of the TV channels in India.
