Barcelona can make it four wins from four after their 100% winning start to the new La Liga season garnered nine points from a possible nine. Real Valladolid are the visitors this weekend with Saturday’s game a chance for Hansi Flick’s men to further open up their lead over a stuttering Real Madrid side who have only won once in their first three outings — at home to Valladolid — since Kylian Mbappe’s arrival. The German is under pressure to challenge for the title after last season’s disappointment and this campaign has started in strong fashion with victories over Valencia, Athletic Club and Rayo Vallecano to start them off.
The Blaugrana came from behind twice with Dani Olmo getting a debut goal after. Pedri equalizer against Rayo. However, another injury — this time to Marc Bernal — could mean that Barca get a new face in before this one. As for Paulo Pezzolano’s side, a 3-0 loss to Real was deceiving as it was 1-0 until the 88th minute while a 1-0 win over RCD Espanyol was built on with a goalless draw with Leganes. High-flying Celta Vigo will be next up for Valladolid after the international break and Pucela did beat the Catalans back in May of 2023 although their last away victory dates all the way back to late 1997.
Here are our storylines, how you can watch the match and more:
How to watch and odds
- Date: Saturday, August 31 | Time: 11 a.m. ET
- Location: Estadio Olimpico Lluis Companys – Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- TV: ESPN Deportes | Live stream: Fubo (try for free)
- Odds: Barca -400; Draw +500; Valladolid +1100
Story so far
With three wins from three, Barca are chasing an extension for their 100% winning start to the new term. Valladolid are the latest challenge and ran Real tight until a few late goals at Santiago Bernabeu. Flick’s men lead the way in La Liga while Valladolid are 11th with four points from a possible nine although the quality of their displays has arguably merited better so far.
Team news
Barca: Bernal’s ACL injury means that he joins Andreas Christensen, Eric Garcia, Ansu Fati, Ronald Araujo, Frenkie de Jong and Gavi in being ruled out. Flick can give Olmo a full home debut here while Bernal should make way for Fermin Lopez and Alejandro Balde could come in for Gerard Martin in defense.
Possible Barca XI: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Cubarsi, I Martinez, Balde; Fermin, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski.
Valladolid: Anuar Tuhami is unavailable but otherwise there is a more or less full squad for this one. Juanmi Latasa is pushing to start while Ivan Sanchez could also factor into Pezzolano’s XI although Raul Moro and Amath Ndiaye are expected to continue behind Mamadou Sylla.
Possible Valladolid XI: Hein; Perez, J Sanchez, Boyomo, Rosa; K Perez, Juric, Amallah; Ndiaye, Sylla, Moro.
Prediction
This should be fairly straightforward for Barca despite their absences and the fact that Valladolid made life hard for Real for the best part of 90 minutes. Expect a winning margin of one or two goals with the Catalans continuing their fast start to the new season. Pick: Barca 2, Valladolid 0.
