Real Valladolid who have already been relegated to the second division will play host to Barcelona, who will be looking to take another step towards the league title.
The home team have had a disastrous campaign as they have only managed 16 points in their 33 outings. They have only won four games all season long.
Valladolid are on a seven-match losing streak in the league and they are heading into this fixture on the back of a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Real Betis. While they don’t have anything to play for, they can certainly look to spoil the party for the Catalan giants.
Barcelona are top of the table with 76 points in their 33 outings. They have won each of their last four league games heading into this fixture. Hansi Flick’s team have a four-point lead over 2nd-placed Real Madrid and will look to keep it intact.
Having played out a 3-3 draw against Inter Milan in their last outing, they will be eager to return to winning ways. But with the all-important UCL semi-final second leg coming up, Flick could make quite a few changes to his preferred XI.
The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
The home team will be without the services of Karl Hein and Henrique Silva. Meanwhile, Javi Sanchez and Kenedy will both undergo late fitness checks to determine their availability.
Valladolid will line up in a 4-4-2 formation, where Andre Ferreira will be in goal. The back four will be made up of Luis Pérez, Eray Cömert, Joseph Aidoo and Adam Aznou. They will look to keep things tight at the back against the best attack in the division.
The back four will receive significant support from the five in front of them. Darwin Machís and Raul Moro will feature on the flanks in midfield, while Chuki will start alongside Selim Amallah and Stanko Jurić in a more central role.
Mamadou Sylla will be the lone forward for the hosts.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Ferreira; Perez, Comert, Aidoo, Aznou; Machis, Chuki, Juric, Amallah, Moro; Sylla
Alejandro Balde and Robert Lewandowski are both closing in on a return but they are unlikely to be risked in this fixture. However, Balde could be handed a few minutes late in the second half.
Marc Casado and Marc Bernal remain on the sidelines, while Jules Kounde has joined them having picked up a hamstring injury last time out.
While Wojciech Szczesny is expected to remain their number one until the end of the season, Flick could hand the fit again Marc-Andre ter Stegen an opportunity to regain his best form.
Flick will certainly make quite a few changes to his preferred XI with the second leg against Inter coming up. It will once again be the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Ter Stegen will be in goal. Eric Garcia could come in as the right back, while Gerard Martin will continue on the left. In the heart of the defence, Pau Cubarsi could partner with Ronald Araujo.
Gavi and Pedri could form the double pivot in midfield. Meanwhile, Ansu Fati could be handed another start in this fixture. He will take up the left flank, while Lamine Yamal will continue on the right.
Fermin Lope could be seen in the number ten role with Ferran Torres leading the line for them.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): ter Stegen; Eric Garcia, Cubarsi, Araujo, Martin; Gavi, Pedri; Fati, Fermin Lopez, Yamal; Torres
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The 17-year-old has already featured in a total of 100 matches for the Catalan giants. Yamal has been one of the standout performers for Barcelona this season. He has been involved in a total of 49 matches and has contributed towards 39 goals (15 goals, 24 assists).
While he has been a consistent performer throughout, the teenager has been on fire in recent weeks, he had an exceptional outing against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final and backed it up with another outstanding performance against Inter Milan in the UCL first leg. He will certainly cause a lot of problems for Valladolid.
Barcelona might have one eye on their crucial Champions League semi-final second leg, but they will still head into this clash as overwhelming favourites. Hansi Flick is expected to rotate his squad, yet the quality at his disposal should be more than enough to get the job done against a struggling Valladolid side.
As for the hosts, they are already relegated and on a dismal seven-game losing streak. While they might look to restore some pride in front of their home crowd, it’s hard to see them putting up much resistance against a Barcelona side that is playing with confidence and purpose.
The Hard Tackle predicts a 4-0 win for the away team.
