La Liga Round 4: Valencia vs Barcelona, €470m attacking unit ready to fire, predicted score 2-1

At 22:15 on September 6, the lights at Mestalla Stadium will come on as Valencia prepare to face Barcelona at home. Barcelona have started with three straight wins and scored 12 goals, while Valencia are struggling with injuries and have earned only one point from their first three matches. The gap between the two teams is already clear before this La Liga Round 4 clash begins.

After three matches in the new season, Barcelona have won all three games and scored 12 goals. The squad in Flick's hands is completely different from six months ago.

The three forwards Lewandowski, Ferran Torres and Rashford have departed one after another, while the club brought in Gordon, Adeyemi and Jesus, and also took Rodri to Camp Nou. The front four are valued at €470 million in total: Yamal €220 million, Fermin €100 million, Gordon €80 million and Raphinha €70 million.

Without a traditional center forward, Flick has used Raphinha as a central pivot, Yamal as a right-sided dribbler, Gordon and Adeyemi rotating on the left, and Fermin operating behind as an attacking midfielder. After three matches, the individual goal records are as follows:

Raphinha: 5 goals

Fermin: 3 goals

Yamal: 2 goals

Adeyemi: 1 goal

Gordon: 0 goals but 3 assists; his tactical value in high-intensity pressing cannot be measured only by goals.

Rodri is still recovering after the World Cup and has recently appeared as a substitute for around 30 minutes. He is unlikely to start this match. With the Champions League beginning next week, Barcelona may also rotate the squad.

Looking at Valencia's first three results, they have one draw, two defeats and one point, ranking 17th:

Round 1: Home 0-0 Celta Vigo

Round 2: Home 0-1 Betis

Round 3: Away 1-3 Deportivo La Coruna

The injury situation is even worse. According to Diario AS, coach Corberan currently has six confirmed absences and three doubtful players.

The six players confirmed unavailable:

Midfielder Guido Rodriguez (quadriceps injury)

Defender Copete (meniscus injury)

Defender De Haas (right ankle sprain)

Forward Sadiq (hamstring strain)

Winger Canos (torn ACL, long-term absence)

Winger Diego Lopez (torn ACL, long-term absence)

The three doubtful players:

Defender Foulquier (recovering after surgery)

Winger Rioja (ankle discomfort, did not join team training)

Goalkeeper Van Uvilen (ankle injury)

The team's spine has been heavily affected, leaving Corberan with major difficulties in arranging the lineup.

The only positive news is that Harvey Elliott, who joined on loan from Liverpool on the final day of the transfer window, has completed registration and trained normally with the squad midweek. He could start his Valencia debut in this match. However, he has played little in recent months, so his fitness level remains uncertain.

Valencia are expected to use a 3-5-2 formation with a clear approach: sit deeper, crowd the midfield and defense, cut passing routes through Barcelona's midfield, and rely on quick counterattacks, crosses and set pieces.

Barcelona are expected to use a 4-2-3-1 formation: high pressing combined with short passing, with Yamal and Gordon stretching play from both wings to attack gaps between Valencia's three center-backs. Fermin will make forward runs and Raphinha will provide the finishing touch.

Diario Sport's tactical analysis states that this season Barcelona are no longer focused only on ineffective possession, but place more emphasis on transition speed. However, two problems remain: space behind advancing full-backs and excessive reliance on the offside trap. Fortunately for Barcelona, Valencia's forwards have been inconsistent in finishing and are unlikely to pose a major threat.

Looking at recent meetings between the two teams, Barcelona have a clear advantage, winning 8, drawing 1 and losing 1 of their last 10 encounters.

The only defeat came in the final round of last season (May 24, 2026). Barcelona had already secured the title, Flick rotated heavily, and they lost 1-3 away to Valencia. That result has limited reference value because the two teams had different levels of motivation.

Going further back, in La Liga Round 4 in September 2025, Barcelona defeated Valencia 6-0 at home, one of the biggest wins in La Liga in the past decade.

Overall, the three indicators of strength, form and injuries all favor Barcelona:

Barcelona's 12 goals in the first three matches and the €470 million attacking unit are already taking shape.

Valencia have six confirmed absentees and their central structure has been weakened.

Barcelona have an 8-1-1 record in the last 10 meetings.

Valencia have home advantage and could score through counterattacks or set pieces.

Diario Sport's prediction is that Barcelona will win away, with a 2-1 scoreline and 1-0 as an alternative prediction.

The atmosphere at Mestalla is always intense, and with Barcelona possibly rotating to save energy for the Champions League, Valencia may avoid a heavy defeat. However, taking points from this Barcelona side remains extremely difficult.

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