Next Sunday, 30th of November 2014, Barcelona will travel to the imponent Mestalla Stadium to measure forces with Valencia for round 13 of the Spanish Liga BBVA, on a match of the utmost importance for the Catalans that don’t want to let Real Madrid run free at the top of the table and also for Los Che that failed to win their latest two La Liga’s clashes.

After the surprising home defeat against the mighty Celta de Vigo, Barcelona’s manager, Luis Enrique, rallied the troops and embarked on a positive streak of results that produced two outstanding wins over the last two matches: 5-1 over Sevilla at Camp Nou last weekend, and 4-0 over APOEL at Cyprus for the UEFA Champions League in the middle of the week.

Barça seem to be slowly overcoming the frailties they have been showing here and there this season, especially on the matches they were defeated, against Real Madrid, Celta de Vigo and Paris SG. Luis Enrique has managed to reignite some of that effective ball possession style that catapulted Barcelona to the newspapers’ headlines not so long ago and the team looks different already. Nine goals scored and only one conceded against two, let’s say quality opponents, are an obvious sign that the Catalans are back on track and especially Messi seems to be having fun with the game once again. The Argentinean wonder was nowhere to be seen in some of Barça’s matches this season and the team really missed his contribution.

The upcoming clash at Mestalla will certainly be far from easy and if we remember the spectacular matches both sides produced when they met last term, we can certainly wait for a very thrilling match next Sunday.

For that particular match, the Asturian born manager is not yet certain if he will be able to rely on the contribution of Iniesta, who is still recovering from his injury, and, on the other hand, he has already ruled out the Belgian defender Vermaelen from his choices, since his current injury will certainly require a surgical procedure.

As for Valencia, Los Che have been having a fantastic campaign so far this season, especially when compared to what they achieved last term, and not even their last weekend upset against Levante will serve to stain their merit. On Last Sunday’s Comunidad Valenciana derby, Nuno Espirito Santo’s Valencia failed to overcome their neighbours and rivals of Levante, on a match that they have, in fact, dominated but that somehow failed to win.

Although Valencia have been displaying plenty of quality so far this season, Barcelona are favourites for the Mestalla’s match next Sunday.

Valencia

Stats: W-2 L-2 D-1

Recent Form - LDWWL

Barcelona

Stats: W-4 L-1 D-0

Recent Form - WWWWL

Possible Line-ups

Valencia (4-3-3) - Diego Alves - Gayá - Otamendi - Mustafi - Barragan - Javi Fuego - André Gomes - Parejo - Piatti - Rodrigo - Negredo

Barcelona (4-3-3) - Bravo - Dani Alves - Mathieu - Piqué - Jordi Alba - Busquets - Xavi - Rakitic - Neymar - Suárez - Messi

Prediction

Valencia 1 Barcelona 2