Valencia vs Barcelona

Estadio de Mestalla forms the backdrop for a mouth-watering 2024/25 La Liga opening-day clash between Valencia and Barcelona.

Valencia started last season with low expectations but emerged as potential top-seven candidates as the campaign progressed, only to end the season in ninth. It was the club’s third ninth-place finish across the last five years, and much of the credit goes to former captain and current manager Ruben Baraja. Los Che could’ve done better if not for an underwhelming seven-match winless streak at the tail-end of the season (D2, L5) and will hope for a fresh start in 2024/25. That’s a distinct possibility, considering the hosts have commenced their last four La Liga campaigns with a win. However, Valencia must defy the odds and tradition to uphold that trend, searching for an unlikely triumph against a Barcelona side they have only defeated once across their last 17 league H2Hs at Mestalla (D8, L8).

As for Barcelona, a runner-up finish behind arch-rivals Real Madrid and a trophyless campaign condemned club legend and fan favorite Xavi Hernandez to a premature exit. Ex-Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick has taken over, and he’ll look to inspire Los Blaugranas to their 28th La Liga title in the club’s 125th season. Barcelona signed Euro 2024 winner Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig earlier in August, yet a well-documented financial turmoil has prevented the Catalan giants from registering his contract. They could make it by Friday to bolster Flick’s line-up on his touchline debut in La Liga, with Barcelona bidding to avoid an unwanted feat. They’ve started their last two league campaigns with scoreless draws and could become the first team to make it three 0-0 stalemates at the beginning of a new top-flight season in a row.