Coach Paulo Pezzolano wants his side to “be prepared for what is coming and look ahead” as it’s seeming increasingly likely that their season finale meeting with Getafe, who they beat away earlier this season, could determine their fate.
Valladolid
There seems to be no respite for Real Valladolid, who lost 2-0 to fellow strugglers Cadiz last Friday, keeping them in the drop zone heading into this round. Coach Paulo Pezzolano wants his side to “be prepared for what is coming and look ahead” as it’s seeming increasingly likely that their season finale meeting with Getafe, who they beat away earlier this season, could determine their fate. Five defeats in a row have erased whatever positives were gained after seven points across three matches in April raised hopes of beating the drop. While consecutive home losses have played a part in dampening the mood, a run of just one defeat across six games at the Estadio Jose Zorrilla prior to that ought to remind them that they were playing good football not so long ago.
FC Barcelona
They’ll need their best to further spoil the mood of champions Barcelona after the Catalans lost at Camp Nou to Real Sociedad in a La Liga game for the first time since 1991. Barca boss Xavi didn’t find any reasons to be unhappy with his side after they “celebrated for practically the whole week”, instead declaring the club’s 27th top-flight title win was something they “will build on.” The visitors wouldn’t want the hangover to extend another week and break another long-standing record. Barca haven’t lost a La Liga H2H since March 2014, when Xavi was on the pitch as part of the losing team! Three of their four league defeats this La Liga season have come on the road, and Barcelona’s recent three-game away form has been anything but champions-worthy, meaning another upset can’t be ruled out altogether.
Two of Cyle Larin’s last three league goals have come at this venue, while each of his seven La Liga strikes have served as Valladolid’s opener. Looking for an impact could be Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele who assisted twice in the reverse fixture and has a perfect record against Valladolid. On a league-high seven occasions, Valladolid have witnessed the opening goal of the game arrive beyond the 75th minute.