Soccer Spain LaLiga Prediction

Valladolid vs Barcelona - Match Preview

⚽ 22 May 2023 - 20:00 GMT +0

There seems to be no respite for Real Valladolid who lost 2-0 to fellow strugglers Cádiz last Friday, keeping them in the drop zone heading into this round. Coach Paulo Pezzolano wants his side to “be prepared for what is coming and look ahead” as it’s seeming increasingly likely that their season finale meeting with Getafe, who they beat away earlier this season, could determine their fate.

Five defeats in a row have erased whatever positives were gained after seven points across three matches in April raised hopes of beating the drop. While consecutive home losses have played a part in dampening the mood, a run of just one defeat across six games (W3, D2) at the Estadio José Zorrilla prior to that ought to remind them that they were playing good football not so long ago.

They’ll need their best to further spoil the mood of champions Barcelona, after the Catalans lost at Camp Nou to Real Sociedad in a LL game for the first time since 1991. Barça boss Xavi didn't find any reasons to be unhappy with his side after they "celebrated for practically the whole week", instead declaring the club’s 27th top-flight title win was something they "will build on."

The visitors wouldn’t want the hangover to extend another week and break another long-standing record. Barça hasn’t lost a LL H2H since March 2014 (W7), when Xavi was on the pitch as part of the losing team! Three of their four league defeats this LL season have come on the road, and Barcelona’s recent three-game away form (W1, D1, L1) has been anything but champions-worthy, meaning another upset can’t be ruled out altogether.

📋 Players to watch: Two of Cyle Larin’s last three league goals have come at this venue, while each of his seven LL strikes has served as Valladolid’s opener. Looking for an impact could be Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembélé who assisted twice in the reverse fixture and has a perfect record (W4) against Valladolid.

⚡ Hot stat: On a league-high seven occasions, Valladolid has witnessed the opening goal of the game arrive beyond the 75th minute.