La Liga: FC Barcelona vs Valencia CF: Match Preview,Date, Time, TV Info and Live

Barcelona have the opportunity to steal an early march on their title rivals when Valencia visit Camp Nou on Saturday.

With the two Madrid clubs - Atletico and Real - not playing until Sunday, Gerardo Martino's men can temporarily move three points clear at the summit with a victory.

Barca returned to winning ways against Malaga last time out in the league, having been held to draws in their previous two fixtures.

And history weighs heavily in the hosts' favour in this fixture, with Valencia returning winless from Barca's home ground in all visits since 2003.

Neymar (ankle) is the hosts' only major absence through injury, while Valencia are not thought to have any fresh injury concerns.

 VALENCIA

Valencia have recently recruited ex-Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita from Dalian Aerbin FC. The Malian made 119 appearances for the Catalans but will not be in the squad to face them. There have been some departures too, Dorlan Pabon, Helder Postiga and Andres Guardado have all left the club. But Valencia have reinforced their attacking options by signing Eduardo Vargas on loan from Napoli. Sergio Canales is out injured while João Pereira is suspended.

FORM GUIDE

Barcelona: DWDWWW

Valencia: WDLLDD

LAST MEETING

Valencia CF 2 - 3 FC Barcelona - 1st September 2013

A Victor Valdés and Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona squeezed out a tight win to keep them top of the La Liga table.

LIKELY LINE-UPS

Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdés; Alba, Mascherano, Piqué, Alves, Busquets, Fàbregas, Xavi, Pedro, Messi, Alexis

Valencia (4-2-3-1): Alves; Mathieu, R Costa, Ruiz, Barragán, Parejo, Romeu, Feghouli, Jonas, Piatti, Vargas

MATCH PREDICTION

While they put up a solid display in the return fixture, Valencia last won back at the start of January and I don't see them winning this one. Barcelona 3-0 Valencia.

Recent form

Barcelona: WWWDDW

Valencia: LLWLDD

Possible starting lineups

Barcelona: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas; Alexis, Messi, Pedro

Valencia: Alves; Joao, R Costa, Mathieu, Guardado; Romeu, Parejo; Jonas, Banega, Piatti; Postiga

Sports Mole says: 2-0