Real Valladolid vs Barcelona Predictions & Match Preview

Real Valladolid vs Barcelona predictions and match preview for Tuesday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as the champions head to Valladolid.

Real Valladolid vs Barcelona Preview

Barcelona make the trip to the Jose Zorrilla in midweek, looking to bounce back from a weekend defeat. It’s a much bigger game for the hosts though with Real Valladolid battling for their lives at the bottom of LaLiga.

It’s five straight defeats for them now, their longest current losing streak in the division, at the worst possible time as far as Real Valladolid are concerned. While there have been flashes of positivity in some games, there was little of that last time out as they sank to a deserved 2-0 defeat in a relegation six pointer against Cadiz. Martin Hongla’s late red card capped a miserable evening for Paulo Pezzolano and his team.

There are already doubts creeping in about Pezzolano who made a positive impact when he initially took over from Pacheta. He hasn’t found any real solutions for the side’s defensive issues and they’ve now conceded only 3 fewer goals than rock bottom Elche. That’s obviously a concern as they get ready to welcome the champions.

There are positives for Real Valladolid in terms of opposition team news though. Pedri and Ronald Araujo are likely to be missing again through injury and both men were badly missed in Barcelona’s weekend defeat against Real Sociedad. Along with Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Robert Lewandowski, they are the most important parts of this current Barça side and the players who are most missed when they are absent.

Jules Kounde will also miss this game so there’s a bit of potential to Real Valladolid to cause problems for a Barcelona backline that has finally started to show cracks in recent weeks with 27% of their goals conceded this term in LaLiga, coming in their last two matches alone. They still have a chance to set a new record for the best ever defensive record in LaLiga, provided they don’t concede more than twice in total over the course of the final three matches.

Team News & Possible Lineups

Real Valladolid

Possible XI: Masip – Olaza, Torres, Javi Sanchez, Joaquin, Rosa – Aguado, Monchu, Kike Perez – Larin, Plata (5-3-2)

Coach: Paulo Pezzolano

Barcelona

Possible XI: Ter Stegen – Balde, Alonso, Christensen, Roberto – De Jong, Eric, Gavi – Ferran, Lewandowski, Raphinha (4-3-3)

Coach: Xavi

Score Prediction: Real Valladolid 1-2 Barcelona

Barcelona aren’t looking quite so convincing in defence and with Araujo and Kounde both missing, the hosts could certainly get on the scoresheet here. However defensively Real Valladolid are leaving far too many gaps and Barcelona should have enough in their locker to take advantage.

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