La Liga champions Barcelona will be looking to end an underwhelming campaign on a high note when they lock horns with Valencia in the Copa del Rey final at the Benito Villamarín. Valencia secured Champions League football on the last day of the season and will also seek to finish the season with silverware. Here’s the Big Game Focus with some betting tips. Bet on the game here.
Not many clubs can secure a league title and still have their season judged as a failure. Despite defending the title, Barcelona’s season has been pretty underwhelming. For the second season running, Ernesto Valverde’s men surrendered a three-goal advantage in the Champions League, against AS Roma in 2018 and Liverpool in 2019, with the latte hammering them 4-0. Valverde will have to answer a lot of critical questions about lack of continuity and a fifth straight Copa del Rey title might not be enough to save him.
Valencia have had a terrific season. They clinched a Champions League spot on the final day of the season. A fourth-place finish is even more exciting given they were four points off relegation in January. After engineering this remarkable turnaround, a Copa del Rey trophy will be a crowning achievement for a difficult but successful season.
Betting preview
Barca have won this competition four times in a row, with Real Madrid the last team to win, in 2014. They’re unbeaten against Los Che in seven matches in all competitions, winning four and drawing three. Therefore you can back a Barcelona Win at odds of 1.55.
The last seven matches in all competitions between these two rivals has seen both teams find the back of the net in five. Therefore, you can back Both Teams to Score at odds of 1.55.
Five-time world player of the year Lionel Messi has scored a mind-blowing 27 goals in 32 games in all competitions against Los Che. Therefore, you can back Lionel Messi as Anytime Goalscorer at odds of 1.50.
Team news.
According to Valverde, Ousmane Dembele, Philippe Coutinho, Arthur and Nelson Semedo are doubtful for this encounter. Luis Suarez will miss this clash after undergoing an ankle surgery.
Meanwhile, defender Ezequiel Garay meanwhile has returned to training for Valencia and could feature in the final. Denis Cheryshev will miss the encounter due to a long term injury.
Possible line-ups
Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba, Busquets, Vidal, Rakitic, Malcolm, Messi, Dembele
Valencia: Neto; Wass, Garay, Gabriel, Gaya; Coquelin, Soler, Parejo, Guedes; Moreno, Mina