Copa del Rey 2018-19: 4 reasons why Barcelona will lift the trophy

Having already wrapped up their 26th LaLiga title in grand style, Barcelona's attention will be focused on the Estadio Benito Villamarin on Saturday. They will trade tackles with Valencia there, in a bid to be crowned Copa del Rey champions for a record extending 31st time.

After capturing both domestic competitions last season, Barcelona would be looking to make it consecutive double wins. However, Valencia are no pushovers, and are more than capable of causing the the Nou Camp outfit some problems.

Nevertheless, the Blaugrana should still have enough in the tank to go all the way against Los Ches. Here, we look at four factors which could see Barcelona defeat Valencia in the 2019 Copa del Rey final.

#4 After Champions League debacle, Barcelona would be looking to bow out on a high

Liverpool humiliated Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League

The season had started very brightly for Barcelona, with the treble looking like a very real possibility. And while the double is still in play, that doesn't the fact that the season could have ended on a much more positive note.

Lionel Messi in his first speech as captain of the club had promised to bring the Champions League back to the Camp Nou, and his devastating form on the continent suggested he was going to keep his word. Less than three weeks ago, the odds were heavily stacked in Barcelona's favor to go all the way, as the exit of their major continental rivals meant that the teams left in contention in Europe were of a level significantly beneath Barcelona.

Their cause was helped considerably by the fact that they posted a 3-0 first leg victory over Liverpool in their semifinal clash. Many saw the second leg as nothing more than a mere formality.

However, in shocking scenes reminiscent of those at the Stadio Olimpico last season, the Catalans imploded spectacularly. They threw away their 3-goal lead to lose 4-0 at Anfield and see their European aspirations go up in smoke once more.

That had to leave a bitter taste in their mouth. And while nothing can erase the painful memory of their shocking and embarrassing Champions League exit, victory against Valencia would go some way in restoring their pride.

As such, we can expect the Barcelona players go all out in a bid to right the wrongs and end the season with their heads held high.

#3 Quite simply, they are the better side

Barcelona boasts an assortment of world class players

Barcelona are been one of the biggest football clubs in the world, having won virtually every trophy there is to win. That culture of winning is something that has been handed down to the current generation.

With players like Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, Gerard Pique, Arturo Vidal just to name a few, the Catalans boast some of the biggest names in the world at the moment. The Blaugrana go into virtually every match they play as favorites, owing to the superiority of their players.

Such is the case in the Copa del Rey final against Valencia too. While Valencia boast a number of quality players in their own right, they are nowhere near being at the same level as their Catalan counterparts.

While football may be an unpredictable game where anything can happen, the reality is that more often than not the team with the better player triumph. The difference in quality between Barcelona and Valencia could end up being the crucial determinant in the outcome of the final.

#2 They have their sights on making history

Barcelona are looking to make it five Copa del Reys in a row

Barcelona are by far the most successful side when it comes to the Spanish Copa del Rey, having triumphed in Spain's Cup competition a whopping 30 times. However, they seem to have taken their dominance to new highs in recent seasons; they have made each of the last six finals consecutively (a national record), winning the last four in succession (a joint-record).

Their incredible run of winning the last four titles consecutively is a record they jointly share with their arch-enemies Real Madrid, who triumphed in the tournament between 1905-1908, as well as Athletic Bilbao, who did so between 1930 and 1933.

Victory for Barcelona on Saturday would see them win the trophy for the fifth time in succession and own the record for most successive Copa del Rey wins outright. With their sights on a date with destiny, it is hard seeing Valencia coming in their way.

#1 The Lionel Messi factor

Over the years that football has been in existence, millions of men have kicked the round leather ball either for fun or professionally. And of this huge number, only a handful have made such an impact as to be remembered throughout the annals of history.

From this crop of legendary players, even fewer can lay claim to being the best in history. You know you're something extraordinary when millions around the world are unified in their assessment that of all the icons to have played the beautiful game, you are the greatest of all time.

This is exactly the scenario Lionel Messi finds himself in and rightly so. Over the last 15 years, the Argentine maestro has performed at a level arguably never seen before, and has totally redefined what it means to be a professional footballer.

The 31-year-old is a bona fide game changer, and Barcelona have been extremely blessed to have had him within their ranks. Their record goalscorer has helped the club reach heights previously unimaginable, and fans of the club might not have the privilege of seeing another like him.

Goals, assists, dribbles, free-kicks, passes - Messi does it all. In his time at the club, he has helped Barcelona to a total of 34 major trophies; you would be hard pressed to find too many players who contributed more than he did to the success in each of those titles.

While he might still be reeling from the disappointment of missing out on the Champions League, Messi remains a prime performer who can decide the outcome of a match in an instant. It would be foolhardy betting against him making it 35 trophies for Barcelona and two as captain of the club.

Edited by Musab Abid