Barcelona vs Valladolid prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2022-08-27 17:30.
Barcelona picked up their first win of the La Liga (LL) campaign last weekend, with Robert Lewandowski’s strike after just 46 seconds the club's fastest league goal since 2009. That strike was the first of a brace that helped secure a 4-1 win at Real Sociedad in a result that ensured the Catalans didn't go four league games without a goal for the first time in their history. Manager Xavi will now hope that the momentum is sustained as he looks to build a title challenge.
While the off-field drama over signings and registrations continue, Barça will hope last week’s form in front of goal continues as the threat of three consecutive LL home scoring blanks for only the third time ever still looms large. At least on paper they have the perfect opponent to avoid that, as Barcelona have won their last eight LL matches against Real Valladolid while averaging 3.38 goals per game.
Valladolid's majority shareholder Ronaldo is still remembered as a one-time world record transfer purchase and for being the winner of the 1996/97 European Golden Shoe as a Barcelona player. A first H2H win since March 2014 would be a perfect gift and boost towards his side’s objective of avoiding an immediate return back to La Liga 2.
The impressive 1-1 draw at Sevilla last round highlighted that you can’t write Valladolid off in these big matches, especially as they finished the game with ten men. The visitors are still waiting for their first LL away win since January 2021 (D7, L4 since) though, but with a record of conceding fewer than two goals in nine of those winless games, it's fair to say Valladolid could prove a tough nut for the hosts to crack.
Players to watch: In his last league appearance, Ansu Fati became Barcelona's first player this century to be involved in three goals (G1, A2) in an away game as a substitute. Visiting midfielder Anuar has shown he can step up on these big occasions, with his two career LL goals coming against top clubs Real Madrid and Sevilla.
Hot stat: Both sides scored before half-time in just two of the last 14 LL H2Hs.