With Real Madrid slipping to a 1-0 defeat at Real Betis and Atletico Madrid already trailing the early title race, Barcelona remain the team to beat in La Liga.Hansi Flick's side have made a flying start to their title defence, scoring 12 goals in their opening three league games, including five-goal routs in two of them. Raphinha has been at the heart of it all, scoring five times already and emerging as an early contender for the Pichichi award, while Lamine Yamal is beginning to find the form expected of him after a quieter-than-hoped World Cup.##NAJAVA_MECA_9936760####EDITORS_CHOICE##Anthony Gordon has also settled quickly since arriving from Newcastle, giving Flick another dangerous option in attack as Barcelona prepare to visit Valencia at Mestalla in the fourth round on Sunday (5.15 pm).The hosts, meanwhile, have just one point from their opening three matches and pressure is already building around Carlos Corberan. Valencia face another season of fighting at the wrong end of the table, and a visit from the champions is hardly the ideal fixture at this stage.Super Depor is back and flies on the wings of Super AubaFlick has had to improvise with his attack following the departures of Robert Lewandowski to Chicago and Ferran Torres to Paris Saint-Germain. Raphinha has consequently operated as a false 9, while Gabriel Jesus arrived late in the transfer window as an unexpected reinforcement. The former Manchester City and Arsenal forward has struggled with injuries in recent seasons and is expected to begin on the bench as he looks for his chance.According to Marca, Flick is also considering resting Yamal with Barcelona's Champions League opener against Feyenoord coming up at Camp Nou on Wednesday. Karim Adeyemi could therefore start on the left, with Gordon on the right and Fermin Lopez operating behind the front three.BETTING GUIDE: Valencia vs Barcelona, Match Preview, Team News and PredictionThe only major concern for Flick remains Frenkie de Jong, who continues to recover from injury. Otherwise, the Blaugrana's early-season momentum gives their coach the luxury of managing minutes rather than chasing results.Valencia have their own problems. Umar Sadiq, Guido Rodriguez, Copete, De Haas, Rioja, Diego Lopez and Jesus Vazquez are all unavailable, while Hugo Duro is expected to start on the bench, leaving Arnaut Danjuma to lead the attack.Barca show their teeth in first comeback of the season as Yamal and Raphinha shineBarcelona did lose 3-1 at Mestalla late last season, but the defeat came after they had already secured the title. Earlier in the campaign, however, they demolished Valencia 6-0 in Catalonia.There have been goals whenever these sides meet recently, with at least three scored in each of their last five encounters. If that trend continues, Mestalla could be in for another lively afternoon.LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 4FridayReal Betis – Real Madrid 1-0 (0-0)/Parrott 81/SaturdayAthletic Bilbao – Atletico Madrid 3-0 (0-0)/Williams 46, Navarro 48, Sancet 90/Rayo Vallecano – Racing Santander 3-2 (2-2)/Ratiu 17, Camello 43,47 – Canales 4, Garcia 28/Villarreal – La Coruna 2-3 (1-1)/Pepe 19, Traore 76 og – Cruz 43, Eddahchouri 79, Aubameyang 88/Sunday17.15: (9.00) Valencia (6.00) Barcelona (1.28) 19.30: (2.30) Alaves (3.15) Osasuna (3.35) 19.30: (2.50) Malaga (3.35) Levante (2.85) 22.00: (2.35) Espanyol (3.20) Sevilla (3.20) Monday20.00: (2.50) Getafe (2.85) Celta (3.30) 22.30: (2.95) Elche (3.40) Sociedad (2.40)***odds are subject to change***
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