Barcelona vs Valencia: Guardiola looks set for another final

Barcelona’s La Liga dominance of recent years looks to be under threat this season, as Real Madrid hold a seven-point lead over them in the race for the title.

The Catalan side did manage to knock their rivals out of the Copa Del Rey however, and now go into their semi-final second leg as clear 2/7 favourites over Valencia.

It was 1-1 when the sides met at the Mestalla Stadium last week, with Lionel Messi uncharacteristically missing a penalty that would have won it for Barca, and you can get 9/2 for the draw here, while a repeat of the exact same scoreline can be backed at 10/1.

Valencia are 17/2 to win in 90 minutes, but punters are likely to be put off by the fact that they have failed to win at the Nou Camp since way back in 2003.

Barca look formidable at home and many will be tempted to take advantage of the 15/8 odds that they overcome a two-goal handicap to advance to the final, while the tie may appeal to others at 3/1.

Placed third in La Liga, Valencia have performed well in league competition, but they have scored just once on their past three visits to the Nou Camp, while their hosts have smashed 13 goals in those matches.

For this reason, the 9/10 for Barcelona to win with three or more goals scored in the match looks unmissable, while taking advantage of 7/1 odds for a 3-0 home win looks as though it could be a wise move, and 11/1 odds for a 4-0 victory also appear generous.

Messi will be determined to make up for the penalty he missed in the initial fixture, and is short-priced at 11/5 to add to his 23 goals this term by breaking the deadlock in this match.