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The biggest match of La Liga this weekend is Barcelona’s match against Villarreal on Sunday at the Estadio de la Ceramica. The Yellow Submarine finished eighth last season, off the pace they had set in previous years with two fifth and two seventh places. Marcelino’s side are one of four teams that are still undefeated and within four points of Barcelona. Marcelino’s side will target this side as a way to gain ground on the pacesetters of Spain’s top flight.
Villarreal drew with Atletico Madrid before beating Sevilla and Celta Vigo by seven points from a possible nine. Since then, they have added a further four points to their tally with a draw against Valencia and a win over Mallorca. Ayoze Perez came too late to secure that victory and they will now look for a first home victory over Barcelona since October 2007, although they did enjoy a 5-3 success the last time these two met in late January.
Barcelona have won five 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 match against Young Boys in early October. The Blaugrana won 4-3 last season and are unbeaten against the Yellow Submarine since the end of 2007.
Here are our storylines, how to watch the match and more:
How to watch and odds
- Date: Sunday September 22 | Time: 12:30 PM ET
- Location: Estadio de la Ceramica – Villarreal, Spain
- Watch: ESPN Deportes | Current: Fubo (try for free)
- Chances: Villarréal +270; Sign +320; Barca -118
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Story so far
Barcelona lead La Liga with five wins from five, which is four better than Villarreal, who are also unbeaten in the domestic league so far. Flick’s men tasted defeat with a 2-1 defeat at AS Monaco in the UCL in midweek, so the Catalans will be expected to respond here. Marcelino’s side have been tough customers so far this season and are part of the chase, who are four points behind 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 games in attack on Sunday. Thierno Barry could also start in the summer, which would likely leave Yeremy Pino and Nicolas Pepe back on the bench.
Possible Villarreal XI: Conde; Femenia, Albiol, Costa, S Cardona; Achomach, 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 in Monaco after his early dismissal from the Champions League. Marc Casado should be fit to start against Villarreal after defeat in midweek, while Lamine Yamal’s stunning start to the season includes four goals and four assists from six appearances.
Possible Barça XI: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde; Casado, García, Pedri; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha.
Prediction
With so many players missing for Barca and Villarreal who are in strong form themselves, Flick will need his side to be at their best to avoid defeat. Expect a draw with a narrow victory for both teams and an outside bet. Choose: Villarreal 2, Barcelona 2.