Two clubs in the top half of the Liga BBVA table will do battle today in a league match between Valencia and Barcelona. The first-division clash scheduled for 3 p.m. ET will be held at Mestalla Stadium in Valencia and can be live streamed here free. Additional TV coverage can be found on beIN Sports.

What They're Saying

Valencia manager Nuno Espirito Santo (via Inside Spanish Football): "We've prepared for how we'll play and how we'll counter the quality of the players Barcelona have. We have to think of ourselves though, so we've dedicated time we think sufficient to that and the progress of the team as we keep growing. These are young players who are always obliged to win and keep improving their performance. It will be the sort of game we're looking for. We must try to play well and to win."

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique (via Inside Spanish Football): "I don't really want to qualify the words of another person. If you ask my opinion, for me the best player this season is Lionel Messi, so I would give the Ballon d'Or to Messi."

Tactical Preview

Player to Watch: Barcelona's Xavi has been less influential for the club than in year's past. In nine league appearances, the 34-year-old has just one goal and 14 created chances.

Valencia's Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1): Alves; Gaya, Mustafi, Otamendi, Barragan; Parejo, Fuego; Piatti, Gomes, Paul; Negredo

Barcelona's Projected Lineup (4-3-3): Bravo; Alba, Mathieu, Pique, Alves; Xavi, Busquets, Rakitic; Neymar, Messi, Suarez

Note: Credit all statistics to officially licensed data from Opta Sports (lineups and statistics via WhoScored).

Standings

RnkTeamMPWDLGFGA+/-Pts
1Real Madrid CF13110248123633
2Atlético Madrid1392225121329
3FC Barcelona129123062428
4Valencia CF1273224111324
5Sevilla FC127231916323
6Málaga CF136341614221
7Celta de Vigo135531713420
8Villarreal CF125341714318
9Athletic Club135351214-218
10Eibar134451419-516
11RCD Espanyol133551417-314
12Getafe CF134271018-814
13Rayo Vallecano124261524-914
14Real Sociedad133461516-113
15Levante UD133371028-1812
16Granada CF12255617-1111
17UD Almería12246914-510
18Deportivo La Coruña132471223-1110
19Elche CF132471227-1510
20Córdoba CF120751020-107