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La Liga | Gameweek 16
Dec 16, 2018 at 7.45pm UK
 
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Barcelona face trip to only team that beat them in LaLiga last season

Barca suffered their only league loss of last season at Levante in the penultimate game.

Barcelona will be out for revenge when they head to Valencia to take on Levante on Sunday.

It will be Barca’s first trip to the Estadi Ciutat de Valencia since the penultimate game of last season.

Ernesto Valverde’s side were looking to complete a landmark unbeaten LaLiga campaign only to lose 5-4 in a remarkable game that at one stage saw them trailing 5-1.

Valverde expects the memory to provide extra motivation, saying in comments reported by marca.com: “They are a team with a clear identity. They are doing well and getting great results.

“Their good form is a continuation of last season, when we suffered a lot when we went there and they were the only opponent who beat us. It won’t be hard to motivate the team, though, because we are playing for top spot.

“Maybe it isn’t a game like the derby but we know what happened there last season and that has to serve as an incentive for us.”

Barca can again move three points clear of Atletico Madrid and may have Malcom and Sergi Roberto available after both returned to training on Friday.

Levante coach Paco Lopez does not feel last season’s result will have any bearing but his side will go into the match feeling confident after a fine start to this campaign, which includes a victory over Real Madrid.

“Each game is a different story and different things can be taken away from them,” he said. “We have seen good things from this group as a team but the emotions and moments aren’t the same.

“Managing to surprise Barcelona is something very few teams achieve each year and you can count on the fingers of one hand how often it happens. It takes a special set of circumstances, like against Madrid, and you must reach your maximum potential as a team.

“If we can show our identity and implement our plan then we will have a better chance of winning. We aren’t afraid of playing against Barcelona.”

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid29226164204472
2Barcelona29197360342664
3GironaGirona29195559342562
4Athletic Bilbao29168550262456
5Atletico MadridAtletico29174854342055
6Real Sociedad291210742311146
7Real BetisBetis29101273433142
8Valencia28117103232040
9Villarreal29108114751-438
10Getafe2991193742-538
11Las PalmasLas Palmas29107122932-337
12Osasuna29106133343-1036
13AlavesAlaves2988132635-932
14Mallorca29612112535-1030
15Rayo Vallecano29611122538-1329
16Sevilla29610133644-828
17Celta Vigo2969143244-1227
18CadizCadiz29313132040-2022
19Granada2828183058-2814
20Almeria29110182857-2913

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