The big La Liga match 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 they set in previous years with two fifth and two seventh finishes. One of four sides unbeaten and within four points of Barca, Marcelino’s side will target this one as a way to gain ground on the Spanish top flight.
Villarreal drew level with Atletico Madrid before beating Sevilla and Celta Vigo for seven points from a possible nine and they later 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 be looking for a first home win over Barca since October 2007 although they managed a 5-3 success the last time these two met at the end of January.
Barça has 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 in their next UEFA Champions League tie 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 stories, how you can watch the match and more:
How to watch and odds
- Date: Sunday, September 22 | Time: 12:30 pm ET
- Location: Ceramica Stadium – Villarreal, Spain
- Check out: ESPN Sports | Stream: Fubo (try for free)
- Probability: Villarreal +270; Draw +320; Barque -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 the domestic league. 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 have been tricky customers so far this season and are part of the chasing pack four points clear 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 sit out again.
Possible Villarreal XI: count; Femenia, Albiol, Costa, S Cardona; Akhomach, Comesana, Parejo, Baena; Perez, Barry.
barque: 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 exit early 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 both teams outside bet. Choose: Villarreal 2, Barca 2.
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