Barcelona hope to progress past the Copa del Rey quarterfinals for just the third time in the past six seasons as they travel to meet Valencia on Thursday.
The Catalan club is on a tear at the moment, enjoying a nine-match unbeaten run that includes just two draws coupled with seven victories.
Hansi Flick’s side clobbered Real Betis 5-1 in the previous round of the Spanish domestic cup, up 2-0 by halftime and flying from there. It was such a positive outcome that the only goal they conceded was a penalty by their own loanee Vitor Roque.
Valencia, meanwhile, are in the midst of a relegation battle in league play and hope that a famous scalp in cup competition could springboard them to a second-half rise to top-flight safety.
The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides as the match draws nearer.
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Valencia vs. Barcelona lineups, predicted starting 11, team news
The only Valencia player with a fitness concern is Thierry Correia who is done for the season with a torn ACL.
Twenty-one-year-old youth product Javi Guerra is having a breakout season in midfield, earning a regular starting spot and coming off a game where he scored and assisted a goal.
Liverpool loanee Giorgi Mamardashvili will continue in goal, having had a decent season but nothing quite like his own breakout campaign last term.
Valencia predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Mamardashvili (GK) — Foulquier, Tarrega, Mosquera, Gaya — Guerra, Barrenechea — D. Lopez, Almeida, Rioja — Duro
Injured: Correia (ACL)
Suspended: None
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A clash of heads against Alaves saw Gavi withdrawn just 14 minutes into the weekend match, and he is yet to return to training as he remains sidelined as a precaution. Dani Olmo, however, could return in this match as he was back in training Tuesday and hopes to be available.
Andreas Christensen is not so lucky, as he nears a return but is not quite ready yet. Marc-Andre ter Stegen is still out with his ACL injury, as is Marc Bernal.
Barcelona predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Szczesny (GK) — Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde — De Jong, Casado, Pedri — Lamine Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha
Injured: Gavi (head), Olmo (hamstring, doubt), Christensen (hamstring, doubt), Ter Stegen (ACL), Bernal (ACL)
Suspended: None
Valencia vs. Barcelona live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this Copa del Rey match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
| Region | TV channel | Streaming |
| USA | — | ESPN+ |
| Canada | — | — |
| UK | — | bet365* |
| Australia | — | — |
| India | — | FanCode |
*An account is required to view the match on bet365.
