Barcelona will aim to reignite their La Liga campaign as they host struggling Valencia at the Montjuïc this Sunday. Both sides are enduring challenging seasons in the league.
Event details:
Match: Barcelona vs Valencia
Date: 26 January 2025
Time: 20:00 UTC
Venue: Olímpic Lluís Companys
From leading La Liga by six points in early November, Barcelona’s season in the league matches has taken a dramatic downturn. They now find themselves third in the table, trailing league leaders Real Madrid by seven points.
The months of November and December were particularly disastrous for the Catalans. Since their last league win on November 3rd, Barca has managed only one victory in their last eight La Liga matches, recording three draws and four defeats. This poor run of form has left them with just 39 points from 20 matches—a far cry from the dominance they exhibited earlier in the season.
While Barcelona is struggling to stay in contention for the title, Valencia’s situation is even more dire. The once-formidable side now sits 18th in the league, deep in the relegation zone with a meager 16 points from 20 matches. Their performances this season have been marred by inconsistency, defensive lapses, and an inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
One of Barcelona’s key struggles this season has been their inability to break down smaller teams employing a low defensive block. While they have occasionally risen to the occasion against stronger opponents like Real Madrid, Bayern, Dortmund, Benfica and Bilbao, their lack of chances utility and composure in attack has cost them dearly against teams content to sit back and frustrate them.
The question now is whether manager Hansi Flick can devise a solution to overcome Valencia’s likely defensive setup and steer Barca back to winning ways.
Despite their current struggles, history is on Barcelona’s side. In their last 10 La Liga meetings with Valencia, Barca has emerged victorious seven times, drawn twice, and lost only once. This dominant record will provide some encouragement for the Catalans as they look to turn the tide.
For Barcelona, this match represents a chance to stop the bleeding and restore confidence in their title aspirations. A win could serve as a springboard for a much-needed resurgence. For Valencia, any points gained would be a lifeline in their fight to avoid relegation. With both teams desperate for a result, Sunday’s clash promises to be an intense encounter. Will Barcelona rediscover their rhythm, or will Valencia add to their misery?
