Valencia vs Barcelona – La Liga as it happened

Lionel Messi celebrates scoring Barcelona's equaliser (Reuters)

Lionel Messi's equaliser earned off-colour Barcelona a point against Valencia after Ezequiel Garay had put the hosts in front. Re-live the action:

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What time does it start?

Valencia vs Barcelona kicks off at 7:45pm (BST)

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on Eleven Sports 1, with coverage starting from 7:40pm. Eleven Sports subscribers can also watch the game via the online video player or the Eleven Sports app.

Highlights will be shown at midnight on the same channel.

It’s a big game for…

Nelson Semedo: The Portuguese right-back has struggled with life with the Catalan giants so far and his display against Spurs at Wembley was an example of that. He was overly cautious when attempting to support the visitors’ attack and looked defensively out of sorts, committing to ground too early for Kane’s goal and was very lucky to not gift a chance to Lucas Moura late on due to a lack of awareness.

Nelson Samedo dribbles out from the back (Getty)

Remember when…

Lionel Messi has struck up fruitful partnerships with many Barcelona forwards over the years, but his on-the-field connection with left-back Jordi Alba is something that has created its fair share of goals too. That was precisely the case in November last year, when the former Valencia left-back scored a stunning equaliser from Messi’s lofted pass after Rodrigo had opened the scoring for the hosts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwTXwL_IM2A

Player to watch…

Geoffrey Kondogbia: The Frenchman ran the show in the Champions League this week against a lacklustre Manchester United midfield, alongside the more diminutive Parejo. Nevertheless he will face a much sterner test when he battles it out with Sergio Busquets on Sunday night. He may also have the best chance in the Valencia side of stopping Lionel Messi due to his ability to come from nowhere and win the ball, and therefore a lot of Valencia’s success in both boxes will come down to the former Monaco man.

Geoffrey Kondogbia battles with Man United's players (Getty)

Past three-meetings…

Barcelona 2 (Suarez, Umtiti) Valencia 1 (Parejo pen), La Liga, April 2018

Valencia 0 Barcelona 2 (Coutinho, Rakitic), Copa del Rey, February 2018

Barcelona 1 (Suarez) Valencia 0, Copa del Rey, February 2018

Odds…

Valencia to win: 19/5

Barcelona to win: 8/13

Draw: 3/1

(Odds provided by 888 Sport)

[7 October 2018 13:54 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Welcome!

Barcelona will extend their lead at the top of La Liga with a win over Valencia tonight, but Ernesto Valverde's side have been in poor form domestically. They're without a win in three league games, while Valencia sit in 16th having picked up just one victory.

Meanwhile, in Ligue 1, Paris Saint-Germain host Lyon looking to continue their 100% record. Their lead at the top in France is already beginning to look unassailable.

Follow live updates and the latest team news from 18:30.

[7 October 2018 18:49 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Team news!

[7 October 2018 19:14 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Here are the teams for Lyon's trip to PSG

[7 October 2018 19:21 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Barcelona make one change

Former Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen replaces Clement Lenglet, who is still serving a suspension following his red card against Girona two weeks ago.

[7 October 2018 19:43 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Valencia vs Barcelona

The teams are out at the Mestalla. Can Barcelona end their run of three La Liga games without victory?

[7 October 2018 19:46 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Valencia 0-0 Barcelona

We're underway!

[7 October 2018 19:48 · Callum Rice-Coates]

GOAL FOR VALENCIA! GARAY TAPS IN AFTER JUST TWO MINUTES FROM A CORNER.

[7 October 2018 19:50 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Valencia 1-0 Barcelona 

4 minutes

It's the perfect start for Valencia at a buoyant Mestalla. They were immediately on the front foot and were rewarded when Dani Parejo's corner found its way in. 

[7 October 2018 19:52 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Valencia 1-0 Barcelona

6 minutes

It's nearly two. Guedes bursts down the left and the ball falls to Batshuayi. The former Chelsea man hits a left-footed shot just wide of the far post.

[7 October 2018 19:54 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Valencia 1-0 Barcelona

7 minutes

This time it's Kondogbia who sends Ter Stegen scrambling across goal. The Frenchman curls an effort from just outside the box and it's only narrowly wide.

Barcelona are on the ropes here.