La Liga’s big game of the weekend is Barcelona’s trip to face Villarreal on Sunday at Estadio de la Ceramica. The Yellow Submarine finished eighth last season and off the pace that they had set in previous years with two fifth and two seventh-placed finishes. One of four sides unbeaten and within four points of Barca, Marcelino’s side will be targeting this one as a way to gain ground on the Spanish top-flight’s pacesetters.
Villarreal drew with Atletico Madrid before beating Sevilla and Celta Vigo for seven points from a possible nine and they have since added four more points to their tally with a draw at Valencia and a win over Mallorca. Ayoze Perez left it late to secure that victory and now they will seek a first home win over Barca since October 2007 although they did manage a 5-3 success the last time these two met in late January.
Barca have five wins from five so far with Valencia, Athletic Club, Rayo Vallecano, Real Valladolid and no match for Hansi Flick’s side. The Catalans now face Villarreal, Getafe and Osasuna their next UEFA Champions League game with Young Boys in early October. The Blaugrana won this one 4-3 last term and are unbeaten away against the Yellow Submarine since late 2007.
Here are our storylines, how you can watch the match and more:
How to watch and odds
- Date: Sunday, September 22 | Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Estadio de la Ceramica – Villarreal, Spain
- Watch: ESPN Deportes | Stream: Fubo (try for free)
- Odds: Villarreal +270; Draw +320; Barca -118
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Story so far
Barca lead La Liga with five wins from five which is four better than Villarreal who are also unbeaten so far in domestic league action. Flick’s men tasted defeat in midweek with a 2-1 loss away at AS Monaco in the UCL so the Catalans will be expected to respond here. Marcelino’s side are tricky customers so far this season and are part of the chasing pack four points adrift of Barca along with Real Madrid and Atleti.
Team news
Villarreal: Willy Kambwala, Gerard Moreno, Juan Foyth and Alfonso Pedraza are all out but Ayoze Perez should get the chance to add to his three goals from five league appearances in attack on Sunday. Summer signing Thierno Barry could also start which would likely see Yeremy Pino and Nicolas Pepe benched again.
Possible Villarreal XI: Conde; Femenia, Albiol, Costa, S Cardona; Akhomach, Comesana, Parejo, Baena; Perez, Barry.
Barca: Fermin Lopez, Dani Olmo, Marc Bernal, Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araujo, Frenkie de Jong and Gavi are all injured while Ferran Torres is suspended. Eric Garcia can play after his Champions League dismissal early on in Monaco. Marc Casado should be fit to start against Villarreal after a midweek knock while Lamine Yamal’s stunning start to this season includes four goals and four assists from six appearances.
Possible Barca XI: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde; Casado, Garcia, Pedri; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha.
Prediction
With so many players missing for Barca and Villarreal in strong form themselves, Flick will need his side to be at their best just to avoid defeat. Expect a score draw with a narrow win for either team an outside bet. Pick: Villarreal 2, Barca 2.
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