Barcelona and Valencia Battle in Copa del Rey

The European soccer season is winding to a close but there’s still some big games left to be played this weekend. Among these is the finals of the annual Copa del Rey national club tournament in Spain. It’s a similar format as England’s FA Cup and has been dominated by Barcelona of late. They are the defending champions, have won four straight titles and have won 30 titles in the competition which began in 1903. Saturday’s matchup between Barcelona and Valencia will be held at the Estadio Benito Villamarín in Seville with a capacity of 60,720. The facility is the home field of Real Betis and is the fourth largest soccer stadium in Spain.

Barcelona ran away with the Spanish Primera Division title this year finishing with 87 points–9 more than second place Atletico Madrid and 19 points more than Valencia who finished fourth. Since Valencia has already qualified for the Champions League next season as has Barca the European Cup competition stakes aren’t on the table. With both teams already in the Champions League it will give a Europa League berth to the highest non-qualified team in La Liga. This has given Espanyol a berth in Europa qualifying for 2019-2020.

Although Barca did all that was expected of them in La Liga play this year their fans still haven’t forgotten the Champions League semifinal collapse against Liverpool. Although Valencia didn’t make it through the Europa League semis the result wasn’t quite as shocking as the Barcelona dismissal. The Copa del Rey odds have Barcelona installed as a solid favorite despite several significant injuries. Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is injured and backup Jasper Cillessen will get the Copa del Rey start. Cillessen made only 3 appearances in La Liga play this year. Striker Luis Suarez had knee surgery and will be sidelined for at least six weeks keeping him out of action here as well. Ousmane Dembélé is also expected to miss the Copa del Rey finals. Forward Philippe Coutinho is now a ‘game time decision’ after returning to practice following a hamstring injury as is Brazilian midfielder Arthur.

Valencia is generally happy with their fourth place finish in La Liga which was a real scrap down the stretch but they secured the spot after winning their final three games. Valencia won the Copa del Rey in 2008 giving them 7 championships and 9 runner up spots in the competition. Objectively speaking, they’re not on the same level qualitatively as Barca but are healthier and will be free of the high expectations that always follow their opponent. That being said, these incremental edges are doubtful to be enough against the powerhouse side in Spanish soccer.

BET BARCELONA -1/2 -1 -126 OVER VALENCIA
BET BARCELONA/VALENCIA OVER 3 +100

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