Bet on Valencia to slow up Barcelona in La Liga
Published:Barcelona are still unbeaten away from home in La Liga this season and David Villa will hope to keep things that way as he prepares to make a first return to his old stomping ground in Valencia.
It is 4/7 that Barcelona win for the 12th time in 13 games on the road this season at Valencia, while the hosts will be keen to build on their fine recent form at the Mestalla, where they have won four of their last five games.
Valencia have also only lost one of their last five home games against Barcelona and to extend this run they will need to keep Villa and his fellow strikers quiet.
Barcelona have already scored 40 away goals in La Liga this season, which is more than double the return of any other club.
However, a potential bright spot is that Villa has failed to find the target in the last five showdowns between Valencia and Barcelona.
Valencia’s betting odds are 5/1 to beat Barcelona and to do so they may need to maintain their useful recent record of scoring in the final 15 minutes of eight of their last ten league games.
Elsewhere in La Liga, Villarreal could potentially move within one point of Valencia in the battle for third spot in the Spanish top flight with a home victory over Hercules.
After a run which saw them win 11 of 12 league games at home, Villarreal have stuttered of late, going back-to-back league games at El Madrigal without securing maximum points.
Villarreal’s betting odds are 4/9 to beat Hercules, with the visitors having failed to score in each of their last nine away games in La Liga.
Hercules are 13/2 to beat Villarreal, with the draw available at 16/5.
A £25 stake on Valencia beating Barcelona 2-1 would return £400. New customers can sign up here for a free £25 bet.
