Real Valladolid vs Barcelona prediction, odds, betting tips and best bets for La Liga match Tuesday

Having wrapped up the 2022/23 La Liga title, Barcelona will look to finish the season on a high as they visit Real Valladolid with just three matches remaining on the schedule.

Barcelona lost in their first match as confirmed champions, falling to a 2-1 loss against Real Sociedad despite a nearly full-strength lineup on the field. They will hope to provide fans with a little more to savour as they edge closer to the conclusion of the campaign.

The Blaugrana put four past Valladolid in the reverse fixture, coming way back in August in the third match of the season. Robert Lewandowski scored a brace in that game and he's rounded back into form as the season comes to a close, with five goals in his past five league matches.

Real Valladolid, meanwhile, are in the thick of the relegation battle. They sit 18th, level on points with Getafe but in the relegation zone thanks to goal difference. They have lost five consecutive league matches and are in dire need of points as the season closes. Upcoming games against Almeria and Getafe provide opportunities, but any points here could be of critical importance.

MORE: Recap Barcelona 4-0 win over Real Valladolid back in August

Real Valladolid vs Barcelona match facts

• Date: Tuesday, May 23
• Kickoff Time: 4 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. BST / 6 a.m. AEST (Wed, May 24)
• Location: Estadio Jose Zorrilla (Valladolid, Spain)
• Official: Cesar Soto Grado
• Last meeting: Barcelona 4-0 Real Valladolid (Aug. 28, 2022 | La Liga)

Real Valladolid vs Barcelona prediction, odds

• Moneyline lean: Barcelona (-110)
• Handicap lean: Barcelona -0.5 (-120)
• Score prediction: Real Valladolid 0-1 Barcelona

Barcelona are not nearly as heavy of favourites as one might expect as the title winners face 18th in the table, but there are extenuating circumstances that play into the odds. Most notably, Barcelona's defeat last week in their first match without anything tangible to play for speaks to their lack of motivation as the season closes.

On the other end of things, Valladolid have everything to play for, needing points anywhere they can get them to stave off relegation after just one season in the top flight.

Real Valladolid vs Barcelona: best bet

• Pick: Under 2.5 total goals
• Odds: +125 (BetMGM)

Barcelona have coughed up multiple goals in consecutive league games, and defensively they seem to be somewhat on the beach, but if there's a team to play that will provide an ailment to the woes, it's Real Valladolid.

The hosts are miserable in every offensive category. They have the third-fewest goals scored in the league, the second-worst xG in the league, and only the January acquisition of Canadian striker Cyle Larin has provided the attack with any kind of firepower. Since joining on loan from Club Brugge, Larin has acquired 1,206 minutes of league game action, and already leads the team in xG by a significant margin.

Barcelona, meanwhile, aren't a team who run up the score. They win with defence and possession, choking the life out of their opponents. As long as they can keep Real Valladolid off the scoresheet, they'll have no problem scoring one or two and cruising to victory.

Real Valladolid vs Barcelona prop bet

• Pick: Barcelona to win to nil
• Odds: +270 (BetMGM)

Aside from the relative gulf in motivating factors left to play for with each of these teams, everything speaks to a Barcelona victory in this match, and as stated above, it should come in defensive fashion.

Thanks to recent trends, the odds in today's match for Barcelona returning to form present exceptional value, as the market believes the Blaugrana to be already on the beach. Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo are injured, but Andreas Christensen should step in and do the job alongside Marcos Alonso.

Real Valladolid vs Barcelona live stream, TV channel

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