Barcelona winger Ansu Fati beats his man and lifts a cross in but Sergi Roberto can't get his head onto it in the centre.

First Barca attack of the game as the ball drops to Frenkie de Jong on the edge of the box. He slips as he shoots though and Giorgi Mamardashvili scoops it up.

Barcelona's top three scorers are all injured. Robert Lewandowski has 21 and Ousmane Dembele and Pedri have five each.

Raphinha and Ferran Torres are their top scorers on the pitch now with five each.

A few Valencia attacks are dealt with by Barcelona before Samuel Lino's weak snap-shot rolls to the Barca keeper.

Almost a break for Valencia but Ronald Araujo does well to cut it out and get the ball back to Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal.

Barcelona boss Xavi is in the stands today as he serves a touchline ban. His brother, Oscar Hernandez, is on the touchline.

This game has begun.

Barcelona are the hardest team in the world to manage because of their critics, says boss Xavi.

Barca beat Real Madrid 1-0 on Thursday in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg but were criticised for only having 34% possession.

"You beat Real Madrid 1-0 and it seems that it's not convincing enough, whereas if it was the reverse there would be a national party," Xavi said.

"So it is the hardest club in the world. Now you believe me? I said it last year and got bashed for it.

"At Barcelona you have to win and convince, to have 70 percent of possession and create 16 chances while the opponent makes three.

"That is the objective, and that is our objective, but you have to understand that there is an opponent who is the reigning La Liga and European champions, and we're competing with them."

Image source, Reuters

Ruben Baraja takes charge of Valencia for the third time, having replaced Gennaro Gattuso last month.

The 47-year-old ex-Spain and Valencia midfielder has previously managed five Spanish clubs although never made it past a year in charge.

"I hope we perform at a good level and understand what we have to do to be competitive," said Baraja.

"You have to do it collectively, as we saw against Real Sociedad. We must be a team in every sense, both on and off the ball.

"This is what really concerns me. It's a game against FC Barcelona, they're a magnificent team and they are playing at home, but we're going to try to do things right."

Barcelona are missing first-team regulars Pedri, Ousmane Dembele and Robert Lewandowski because of injury.

Midfielder Gavi is suspended.

Valencia are without injured defenders Gabriel Paulista, Jose Gaya and midfielder Nico Gonzalez, who is on loan from Barcelona.

Image source, .

Image source, .

Barcelona are seven points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga and could make it 10 points with a victory here.

Madrid visit fifth-placed Real Betis tonight.

Valencia are in the relegation zone but a win here could take them up to 14th.

Hello and welcome to live text commentary of Barcelona's La Liga game with Valencia.