Barcelona eye clear lead as Valencia face another threat at Mestalla

Barcelona arrive at a restless Mestalla with a chance to turn Real Madrid’s defeat by Betis into a three-point lead at the top of La Liga. Valencia, meanwhile, are already under pressure after collecting one point and scoring once in their first three matches.

The hosts’ latest setback, a painful defeat by Deportivo at Riazor, included two own goals. Anger has grown across the two matches played at Mestalla, with supporters directing much of their frustration at coach Carlos Corberán. The team’s poor form, the controversial close to the transfer window and comments from football director Ron Gourlay have added to the tension.

Several Valencia supporter groups have called on fans to enter the stadium from the 19th minute as a protest against the board and majority shareholder Peter Lim. Valencia must therefore face one of the opponents that has caused them the most problems in recent years in an unsettled Mestalla, although they beat Barcelona 3-1 on the final day of last season.

Corberán will be without Guido Rodríguez, Justin de Haas, Sadiq Umar, Luis Rioja, José Copete, Diego López and the late absentee Dimitri Foulquier. He must decide whether to use five defenders or four, while Liverpool loanee Harvey Elliott is set to provide a new option in midfield.

Barcelona are seeking a fourth straight league victory, but Lamine Yamal remains a doubt after training separately with a contusion. He travelled with the squad while the club waits to see whether he can play. Barcelona face four matches in 10 days, including Feyenoord in the Champions League, Levante and Racing de Santander, so coach Hansi Flick is expected to manage his deep squad carefully.