Real Valladolid vs Barcelona

La Liga pacesetters Barcelona head to Estadio José Zorrilla to take on dead-last Real Valladolid in a seemingly routine clash. 

An already-relegated Real Valladolid host quadruple-chasing league leaders Barcelona, aiming to avoid an unwanted chapter in their history despite already suffering their third demotion in as many top-flight campaigns. Indeed, following a thumping 5-1 defeat to Real Betis last time out, Los Pucelanos are staring down the barrel of an eighth consecutive La Liga defeat for the first time in club history. It’s hardly an ideal moment to take on Hansi Flick’s high-flying Barcelona, especially after suffering their joint-heaviest top-flight defeat in the reverse fixture (7-0). Defensive frailties have plagued Valladolid’s forgettable league campaign from the outset. For context, with 81 goals conceded after 33 matches, no side in La Liga history has ever shipped more at this stage of a top-flight season.

Unlike their out-of-sorts hosts, Barcelona can rewrite their history books this season, even though a goal-glutted 3-3 home draw against Inter Milan in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie threw a spanner in the works. Unbeaten in 14 consecutive La Liga matches (W12, D2), Flick’s charges head into proceedings in high spirits, boasting a four-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid. Despite losing star striker Robert Lewandowski to injury, Los Blaugranas remain a formidable attacking force, netting six goals combined against Inter and Real Madrid en route to Copa del Rey glory. On top of that, they’ve won their last four league games on the road – three of which via multi-goal margins.