Barcelona are looking to build on their winning start to the season when they take on Real Valladolid on Saturday.
The Catalan side beat Alaves 3-0 in their first La Liga game of the new campaign, so the champions will be confident of getting the better of their newly-promoted hosts.
| Game | Real Valladolid vs Barcelona |
| Date | Saturday, August 18 |
| Time | 9:15pm BST / 4:15pm ET |
TV Channel, Live Stream & How To Watch
In the United States (US) the game will be shown live on television on beIN Sports. It can also be streamed live online using the beIN Sports CONNECT service.
| US TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| beIN Sports | beIN Sports CONNECT |
In the United Kingdom (UK), the game will not be broadcast live on television but it can be streamed via Eleven Sports.
| UK TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| Eleven Sports 1 | Eleven Sports |
Squads & Team News
| Position | Real Valladolid squad |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Masip, Perez |
| Defenders | Moyano, Antonito, Kiko Olivas, Salisu, Calero, Nacho |
| Midfielders | Alcaraz, Fernandez, Anuar, Michel, Keko, Verde, Villa |
| Forwards | Oscar Plano, Duje Cop, Unal |
Defensive midfielder Luismi, winger David Mayoral and Ivi have been left out of the squad because of injuries again.
Meanwhile, coach Sergio has dropped Antonio Cotan, Guitián, Moises Delgado, Antonio Domínguez and Leo Suarez.
Predicted Real Valladolid XI: Masip; Moyano, Olivas, Calero, Martinez; Alcaraz, Fernandez, Keko, Anuar, Villa; Unal.
| Position | Barcelona squad |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Ter Stegen, Ezkieta |
| Defenders | Alba, Semedo, Lenglet, Pique, Marlon, Umtiti, Vermaelen, Miranda |
| Midfielders | Rafinha, Alena, Busquets, Coutinho, Rakitic, Arthur, Roberto, Vidal, Puig |
| Forwards | L. Suarez, Messi, Dembele, Alcacer, Munir, Malcom |
Ernesto Valverde left Rafinha, Paco Alcácer, Munir and Thomas Vermaelen out of the squad for Saturday, while Denis Suárez, Sergi Samper and Jasper Cillessen are injured.
Predicted Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Coutinho, Messi, Suarez, Dembele.
Betting & Match Odds
Barcelona are massive favourites to win the game at 1/6, while a draw is priced 13/2. Valladolid, at odds of 16/1, are massive underdogs.
Click here to see all of Bet365’s offers for the game, including goalscoring markets, correct score predictions and more.
Match Preview
Barcelona star Lionel Messi is already off the mark this season after scoring twice against Alaves and the Argentine will be confident of adding to his tally in Valladolid.
Real started their season with a 0-0 draw at Girona and face a massive test in their first home game in the top flight in four years.
The Catalans are expected to stroll to victory against the newly-promoted side, but coach Ernesto Valverde has warned team not to get cocky as they come up against a side still buoyed by their Segunda Division title win.
“It’s possible that both teams will be equal because there is still the enthusiasm and the joy of the last promotion,” he said.
“Valladolid were great defensively against Girona and earned a draw. Their play was orderly and the lines were close together.”
But the home side will need to be particularly strong defensively if they are to overpower the reigning champions, who will likely line up with Messi, Luis Suarez, Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho from the start.
Let’s block ads!