Last will welcome first in La Liga on Saturday night, as title favourites Barcelona head to a Real Valladolid outfit that have already been relegated to the Segunda Division for the 2025-26 campaign.
Barcelona are top of the La Liga table, four points clear of second-placed Real Madrid, while a disastrous season has left Real Valladolid at the bottom of the division, picking up just 16 points from 33 matches.
Match preview
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There is no getting away from the fact that it has been an incredibly difficult campaign for Real Valladolid, with a total of 16 points from 33 matches leaving them at the bottom of the table, and as mentioned, their relegation has already been confirmed.
Just four wins have arrived in La Liga this term, while they have the worst defensive record by a distance, conceding 81 times, and also the poorest attacking record, only managing to find the back of the opposition's net on 24 occasions.
The White and Violets are on a seven-game losing run in the league, including a 5-1 reverse to Real Betis last time out, while their last victory in Spain's top flight came towards the start of January at home to the same opponent.
Real Valladolid actually beat Barcelona 3-1 in the corresponding game during the 2022-23 campaign, but the Catalan giants recorded a 7-0 victory when the two teams locked horns for the reverse fixture earlier this term.
Alvaro Rubio's side only have pride to play for in the latter stages of the season, and their attention will have already switched to the 2025-26 campaign, where a push for an immediate return to La Liga will be on the agenda.
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As for Barcelona, the Catalan outfit will enter the match off the back of a spectacular Champions League clash, drawing 3-3 with Inter Milan in the first leg of their semi-final, so it is all to play for in the second leg in Italy next week.
Hansi Flick's side won the Copa del Rey last weekend, meanwhile, beating Real Madrid 3-2 after extra time, so a treble is very much on the cards in the latter stages of the campaign.
Barcelona are top of the La Liga table, four points clear of second-placed Real Madrid, and the two teams will lock horns on May 11 at Estadii Olimpic Lluis Companys for a potential title decider.
Real Madrid are not actually in action until Sunday against Celta Vigo, so the Catalan outfit can open up a seven-point advantage on Saturday evening, and it would be a huge shock if they were unable to overcome a struggling Real Valladolid outfit.
Barcelona will quickly switch their attention to the second leg of their Champions League semi-final with Inter on Tuesday evening before hosting Real Madrid, so it is an incredibly important period of the campaign for a team that has thrived under Flick this season.
Team News
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Real Valladolid are again set to be without the services of Karl Hein and Henrique Silva for Saturday's clash, while Javi Sanchez and Kenedy both need to be assessed before final decisions are made on their involvement.
Sanchez picked up an early injury against Real Betis last time out, so Joseph Aidoo is on standby to start, while Darwin Machis and Mamadou Sylla may also be introduced into the starting side.
Raul Moro has enjoyed a productive campaign for Real Valladolid despite their struggles, managing five goals and four assists in 29 appearances, and he is again expected to feature in a wide area.
As for Barcelona, Alejandro Balde and Robert Lewandowski may be back for the second leg of the Champions League semi-final with Inter, but the duo will not be involved in this contest.
Marc Bernal remains unavailable with a long-term knee injury, while Jules Kounde is facing a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring problem that he suffered against Inter last time out, but Marc Casado is now back in training.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen is back fit after a lengthy absence with a knee issue, and the club's number one goalkeeper will feature in the starting side this weekend.
Wholesale changes are expected from Wednesday's Champions League encounter, with Eric Garcia, Ronald Araujo, Fermin Lopez, Gavi and Ansu Fati potentially all earning spots in the starting side, but Pablo Torre is out of the match with a knee issue.
Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:
Ferreira; Perez, Comert, Aidoo, Aznou; Machis, Chuky, Juric, Amallah, Moro; Sylla
Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Ter Stegen; E Garcia, Cubarsi, Araujo, Martin; Gavi, Pedri; Fati, F Lopez, Yamal; Torres
We say: Real Valladolid 0-3 Barcelona
Real Valladolid will not be under any pressure entering this match, which should help them, and Barcelona will make a number of changes to their starting side. That said, we are finding it incredibly difficult to imagine a scenario which involves Real Valladolid preventing the division leaders from claiming all three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
