Villarreal vs Barcelona Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Spanish Primera
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THE FACTS
When is Villarreal vs Barcelona on and what time does it start? Villarreal vs Barcelona will take place on Sunday 27th August, 2023 – 16:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Villarreal vs Barcelona? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Villarreal vs Barcelona on in the UK? Villarreal vs Barcelona will be televised live on LaLigaTV, but La Liga matches are also televised occasionally on Viaplay Sports and ITV
Where can I stream Villarreal vs Barcelona in the UK? Villarreal vs Barcelona can be streamed live on Viaplay, while ITV matches can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
VILLARREAL
Over the summer, Villarreal lost Pau Torres and Samuel Chukwueze so there were concerns that two major losses would cause major repercussions on the pitch. Their pre-season performances and results also left a lot to be desired with supporters, and even reportedly some in the boardroom, questioning whether former Real Betis coach Quique Setien was the man to take them forward.
The Yellow Submarine had their fears worsen after an opening day defeat to Setien’s former club Betis, with Willian Jose scoring a second-half stoppage-time winner in that match. They did, though, come through a tough test in the Balearic Islands last week to defeat a stubborn and organised Real Mallorca side by a goal to nil in Palma.
BARCELONA
Barcelona are the reigning Spanish champions but throughout last season, they spent a lot of time on the back foot and were heavily reliant on defensive solidity, as well as quite a few match-winning performances from Marc-Andre ter Stegen with 1-0 wins being the order of the day quite often. When that fine margins approach does fail, it can be quite easy to drop points, as shown by their goalless draw with Getafe last weekend.
Another frustrating evening took place on Sunday as they huffed and puffed against a solid but, once again, defensive-minded Cadiz side. Barca did eventually, in front of a sparse crowd at Monduit, break down their Andalusian opposition but it took until the 82nd minute to break the deadlock through Pedri and then Ferran Torres clinched all three points in stoppage-time.
THE TEAM NEWS
VILLARREAL
Quique Setien remains without injured duo Francis Coquelin and Alberto Moreno and he will also be concerned with winger Yeremy Pino, who is a doubt for this weekend’s encounter.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Jorgensen; Foyth, Gabbia, Cuenca, Alfonso; Terrats, Parejo, Baena; Gerard, Sorloth, Brereton Diaz
UNAVAILABLE: Coquelin (Injured), Moreno (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Pino (Injured)
BARCELONA
Barcelona remain without suspended Raphinha and they have also recently received news that Pedri is injured with Xavi also set to be without defensive duo Ronald Araujo and new signing Inigo Martinez.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): ter Stegen; Kounde, Christensen, de Jong; Yamal, Romeu, Gundogan, Balde; Gavi, Torres; Lewandowski
UNAVAILABLE: Raphinha (Suspended), Pedri (Injured), Araujo (Injured), Martinez (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Former Barcelona manager Quique Setien Will seek to enact some sort of revenge upon his former club. Villarreal were impressive, particularly in the first-half, in their victory over Real Mallorca and with no Pedri, they will be confident of stifling their opposition, who have a tendency to be overly deliberate. Both of these sides have a tendency to really cutting edge and whilst it may be pretty to some viewers, it could be quite a tedious watch for others so, given that, a low-scoring encounter does remain likely.
TIP: UNDER 3.5 GOALS
