Valencia vs Barcelona Match Prediction

TABLE WITH ODDS OF POPULAR BOOKMAKERS

Bookmakers	1	X	2	Under 2.5	Over 2.5
	4.3	3.65	1.7	1.94	1.74	Bonus	100%
	4.825	4.085	1.774	2.112	1.846	Bonus	400$
	4.64	3.94	1.71	2.035	1.78	Bonus	90€
	4.5	3.85	1.76	1.99	1.79	Bonus	+500%
	4.64	3.94	1.71	2.035	1.78	Bonus	300€

The centrepiece of the first round of the Spanish La Liga season 24/25 will be the clash between Valencia and Barcelona at the legendary Mestalla stadium. Two teams with a rich history, glorious traditions and a huge army of fans will face off to find out who has prepared better for the new football year.

Odds for the match Valencia – Barcelona

In the central match of the first round of La Liga, Valencia will face Barcelona at home. The bookmakers’ odds clearly indicate that the Catalan side are clear favourites for this clash.

Odds for Barcelona to win are in the range of 1.7 to 1.774. “The Blue-Granates are seen as the clear favourites for the game, and their victory is seen as the most likely outcome.

At the same time, Valencia’s chances of success are much more modest. The odds on the Bats’ triumph range from 4.3 to 4.825. It will be extremely difficult for Valencia to defeat a formidable opponent, even playing on their home field.

A draw is quoted at odds around 3.65-4.085. The probability of a draw in this match is regarded as relatively low.

Valencia vs Barcelona Match Prediction

“Barcelona” is the unconditional favourite of the meeting. This is evidenced not only by bookmakers’ quotes but also by objective factors. The Catalans are in great shape, as evidenced by 7 wins in the last 10 matches in all tournaments. “Blue-granates” have retained the core of the squad, strengthened with quality newcomers and will be determined to start in the new championship with a confident victory.

“Valencia, on the other hand, finished last season extremely poorly, with only two wins in the final 10 rounds. “Bats” have serious problems in defence and creation, which makes them extremely vulnerable in the face of Barcelona’s attacking machine. Even the home field factor is unlikely to help the Valencians avoid defeat in this match.

The history of head-to-head encounters is also on Barça’s side. In the last 10 head-to-head matches in La Liga, the Catalans have won 8 games, scoring an average of almost 2 goals per game. “Valencia,” on the other hand, managed to win only once during this period. Given the current personnel and playing problems of the Bats, it will be extremely difficult for them to reverse this disappointing trend.

The match promises to be quite effective. On the one hand, Barcelona’s attacking potential is undeniable. On the other hand, Valencia’s defensive problems make it very likely that they will concede goals, even on their home pitch. We should not discount the fact that in recent head-to-head meetings, the teams have quite often shot over the top.

Given the above, the most likely outcome of the match is a confident victory for Barcelona with a difference of 2-3 goals, for example, with a score of 1:3 or 0:2. There is a high probability of Barça’s individual total will exceed 1.5 goals. A bet on “match total over 2.5 goals” also looks justified.

Recent official meetings

Valencia

“Valencia” finished the 23/24 season on the decline, with only two wins in the last ten La Liga matches. Such results must have disappointed the fans and questioned the team’s prospects in the new championship.

The only bright spots in this stretch were the away successes against Osasuna (0-1) and Granada (0-1).

However, in the rest of the matches, the team looked faded and lacklustre. Defeats to Girona (1-3), Real Sociedad (1-0), Alaves (0-1), Barcelona (4-2) and Betis (1-2) exposed Valencia’s problems in defence and attack.

The draws with Celta (2:2), Rayo Vallecano (0:0) and Mallorca (0:0) also do not add optimism because, in these matches, the “bats” lost points with opponents who must be beaten to fight for high places.

“Valencia” approaches the start of the new season in a state of uncertainty. The team needs to seriously work on improving its game and psychological stability in order not to slip into the relegation zone.

Barcelona

“Barcelona ended the 23/24 season on a major note with seven wins in their last ten matches in all tournaments. The Catalan team once again confirmed their top class and won the silver medal of the tournament.

In La Liga, the Blues have had impressive results, beating Sevilla (1-2), Rayo Vallecano (3-0), Almeria (0-2), Real Sociedad (2-0), Valencia (4-2) and Cadiz (0-1).

The only serious disappointment in the championship was the defeat from the principal rival – Real Madrid (3:2). However, even in this game, Xavi’s men showed character and fighting spirit, fighting for the result until the last minutes.

Barcelona left a mixed impression in the Champions League. On the one hand, the team managed to beat PSG in the first match of the quarter-final (2:3), showing spectacular and effective football. On the other – on their field, the Catalans were defeated by the French grandee (1:4) and dropped out of the tournament. This failure, of course, was a spoonful of honey and pointed to the need for further progress.

“Barcelona are approaching the new season as one of the main favourites in La Liga. The team has retained the core of the squad, acquired several quality performers, and continues to develop under the guidance of new coach Hansi Flick.

History of head-to-head confrontations

“Valencia and Barcelona are one of the most iconic and principled rivalries in Spanish football. The history of their face-to-face meetings totals 229 matches in all tournaments. During this time, the “blue-granates” won 112 victories, the “bats” celebrated success 60 times, and another 57 games ended in a draw.

The overall goal scoring statistics also show Barcelona’s advantage. The Catalans have hit Valencia’s goal 446 times, while the Valencians have upset the Blaugranas with 338 goals. On average, Barça score 1.95 goals per game against the Bats – an impressive figure that speaks volumes about the strength and class of the Catalan club.

If we look at the last 10 head-to-head matches in La Liga, Barcelona’s superiority is not in doubt. “Blue-Granatovy” won 8 meetings, “Valencia” took the upper hand only once, and 1 more match the rivals ended in peace. And in 6 cases out of 10, Barça scored at least 3 goals to the “bats” – a clear indication of the attacking power of the Catalans.

Among recent head-to-head encounters, the 5-2 (15 September 2019) and 1-4 (20 February 2022) defeats to Valencia will surely remain particularly memorable for Barcelona fans. In these matches, the Blaugranas showed their full strength and forced their opponents to capitulate under a hail of goals.

However, Valencia should not be discounted. In the penultimate face-to-face match, the Bats managed to hold off a Barcelona onslaught and secure a 1-1 draw. Just four years earlier, on 25 January, 2020, Valencia had beaten the Blues 2-0 at the Mestalla.

Predictions for La Liga matches

All predictions for Spanish league matches can be found in the section «La Liga Predictions».