Good afternoon and welcome to Eurosport’s LIVE commentary of the La Liga clash between league leaders FC Barcelona and fourth-placed Valencia CF. The hosts could move five points clear of second-placed Real Madrid if they can take all three points in the league’s early kick-off. However, they come up against a well-drilled Valencia side and the 3-2 loss the Catalans suffered last season to Los Che is still firmly stuck in the memory. All the team news coming right up.
La Liga / Matchday 32
Spotify Camp Nou / 18.04.2015
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Updated 18/04/2015 at 15:55 GMT
5'
Valencia could be forgiven for being shell-shocked but they have instead responded in the best possible manner and would have been level only for the offside flag to prevent Feghouli from sticking the ball into the net.
3'
The goal came from a sweeping counter-attack from the hosts after Pique made a crucial intervention to break up a dangerous Valencia attack, Busquets took the ball forward in midfield and fed Messi who then played a simple through pass to Suarez and the Uruguay international slotted the ball into the corner of the net.
1'
GOAAAAALLLLL! Barcelona are ahead after 54 seconds! Suarez with the goal!
1'
KICK-OFF! We're underway at Camp Nou on a fine Spring afternoon. Perfect conditions to play football.
14.55
The hosts were held to a 2-2 draw in Seville last weekend but followed that point up with a terrific 1-3 victory in Paris in the Champions League mid-week action. The Catalans are finally back on home turf today knowing if they fail to win then Real Madrid will likely be ready to pounce on pole position later this evening when they welcome Malaga.
14.50
STAT: Valencia have only let in one goal in their last five games, winning three and drawing two, while netting 10 themselves. They are unbeaten in 10. Barcelona lost out on the La Liga title by three points last year - another defeat to Valencia could have severe consequences for the Catalans.
14.45
Nuno Santo's has named his full strength side as they look to grab at least a point at Camp Nou in their search for Champions League football season. Lucas Orban has been in impressive form recently and he will need to maintain a high level of performance to deal with Barcelona’s deadly attack. Alcacer leads Valencia’s forward line and he will look to capitalise on any chance that may come the visitor’s way.
14.40
BARCELONA NAME STRONG XI: Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez all start as Luis Enrique is forced to name all his stars in a bid to obtain maximum points in the race for the La Liga title. The deadly three have scored 91 goals between them in all competitions so far this season and they will be keen to add to that tally this afternoon. Dani Alves returns after his mid-week suspension and Xavi replaces the injured Andres Iniesta in midfield.
14.35
BARCELONA: Bravo, Alves, Pique, Mathieu, Adriano, Mascherano, Xavi, Busquets, Messi, Suarez, Neymar /// VALENCIA: Alves, Barragan, Mustafi, Otamendi, Orban, Fuego, Parejo, Andre Gomes, Feghouli, Alcacer, Rodrigo.