Barcelona vs Villarreal Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Spanish Primera
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THE FACTS
When is Barcelona vs Villarreal on and what time does it start? Barcelona vs Villarreal will take place on Saturday 27th January, 2024 – 17:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Barcelona vs Villarreal? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Barcelona vs Villarreal on in the UK? Barcelona vs Villarreal will be televised live on LaLigaTV, but La Liga matches are also televised occasionally on Viaplay Sports and ITV
Where can I stream Barcelona vs Villarreal in the UK? Barcelona vs Villarreal can be streamed live on Viaplay, while ITV matches can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
BARCELONA
Xavi said that he would leave Barcelona at the end of the season if he did not win any trophies and this month they have been beaten in the final of the Supercopa de Espana by Real Madrid and also been knocked out of the Copa del Rey after a 4-2 defeat to Athletic Club at San Mames on Wednesday evening.
The Blaugrana are eight points behind Catalan rivals Girona at the top-of-the-table ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures. So, the former Barcelona captain is seemingly reliant on winning the UEFA Champions League this season to ensure he does not entirely underperform this season with the cash-strapped giants.
VILLARREAL
It has been a generally miserable campaign for Villarreal with former Olympique de Marseille boss, Marcelino, who is their third permanent manager of the season after the sackings of Quique Setien and Pacheta, has the Yellow Submarine sitting in the bottom-half of the table and in genuine danger of being dragged into the relegation battle.
The visitors come into this one on the back of a 1-1 draw with Real Mallorca in their most recent outing, last weekend. Pepe Reina was sent off in that game in the 62nd minute and they then conceded an equalising goal in the 91st minute. Villarreal have now managed just two victories in their last ten matches across all competitions.
THE TEAM NEWS
BARCELONA
Full-back Alex Balde has joined Barcelona’s relatively lengthy injury list that includes the likes of Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Gavi and Raphinha.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Pena; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Roberto; De Jong, Gundogan, Pedri; Yamal, Lewandowski, Torres
UNAVAILABLE: Balde (Injured), Raphinha (Injured), Martinez (Injured), Alonso (Injured), Gavi (Injured), ter Stegen (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
VILLARREAL
Pepe Reina is out suspended for this weekend after his red card last week, whilst Dani Parejo, Raul Albiol, Denis Suarez and Yeremy Pino are all out injured.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Jorgensen; Kiko Femenia, Bailly, Cuenca, Moreno; Akhomach, Comesana, Coquelin, Baena; Gerard, Sorloth
UNAVAILABLE: Reina (Suspended), Pedraza (Injured), Terrats (Injured), Parejo (Injured), Albiol (Injured), Pino (Injured), Suarez (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Foyth (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
Barcelona are defending Spanish champions but even when they won La Liga last season there were concerns over their performances with an over-reliance on goalkeeper, Marc-Andre ter Stegen. They have struggled throughout this campaign for any fluency or cohesion but did enjoy a good win against Real Betis at the Benito Villamarin last weekend. They face a Villarreal side that are potentially genuinely involved in a relegation battle so a fairly lacklustre home win remains most likely for this one on Saturday evening.
TIP: BARCELONA TO WIN & UNDER 3.5 GOALS
