Villarreal vs Barcelona Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 Spanish Primera
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It has been a brilliant start to the season for Villarreal this year as they try and challenge for a top four finish and potential UEFA Champions League qualification, as they now face a Barcelona side that have enjoyed five successive victories in La Liga to start their campaign.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 22nd September, 2024 - UK – 5:30pm / US ET – 12:30pm / US PT – 9:30am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Villarreal vs Barcelona may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
VILLARREAL PREVIEW: YELLOW SUBMARINE SETS SAIL
Coached by former Valencia and Olympique de Marseille boss Marcelino, Villarreal come into this weekend on the back of a start to the season which has seen the Yellow Submarine pick up three victories with two draws in their opening five matches as they join the chasing pack behind Barcelona.
The home team come into this one on the back of a 2-1 defeat away to Real Mallorca in the Balearic Islands in their most recent outing last weekend with a second-half stoppage-time winning goal scored by Ayoze Perez; the third time they have scored a stoppage-time winner this season.
BARCELONA PREVIEW: IMPRESSIVE BLAUGRANA
Barcelona began the 2024/25 season by being hammered in the Joan Gamper Trophy against Monaco with a 3-0 defeat at Estadi Olympic Lluis Companys. Their most recent outing was another defeat against Monaco as they suffered a 2-1 loss at Stade Louis II in their opening game in the UEFA Champions League in midweek.
In between those losses to the Monagasque, Hansi Flick has enjoyed an impressive start to life as Barcelona boss with the Blaugrana enjoying five successive victories at the start of this season. They come into this one on the back of a 4-1 hammering of Girona in La Liga last weekend in a Catalan derby.
VILLARREAL TEAM NEWS: DEFENSIVE ISSUES
Villarreal are getting by despite the absence of a few senior players as well as one summer signing, Willy Kambwala, who remains unavailable for the Yellow Submarine.
Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Juan Foyth remains sidelined for the hosts alongside both Alfonso Pedraza and club captain attacker Gerard Moreno.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Conde; Kiko Femenia, Raul Albiol, Costa, Sergi Cardona; Akhomach, Santi Comesana, Dani Parejo, Alex Baena; Ayoze Perez, Barry
UNAVAILABLE: Kambwala (Injured), Juan Foyth (Injured), Alfonso Pedraza (Injured), Gerard Moreno (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
BARCELONA TEAM NEWS: PLENTY OF ABSENTEES
After a strong start to the season, Barcelona are without quite a few players for this weekend with several injury absentees as well as Ferran Torres being out suspended.
As well as Ferran Torres, the Blaugrana will still be without the likes of Ronald Araujo and Frenkie de Jong as well as Marc Bernal, Fermin Lopez and Dani Olmo.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Ter Stegen; Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Alex Balde; Marc Casado, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Pau Victor; Lewandowski
UNAVAILABLE: Christensen (Injured), Ronald Araujo (Injured), Marc Bernal (Injured), Fermin Lopez (Injured), De Jong (Injured), Gavi (Injured), Dani Olmo (Injured), Ferran Torres (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE:
VILLARREAL VS BARCELONA PREDICTION
Villarreal have been extremely enjoyable to watch some absolute thrillers throughout this campaign. In fact, their five matches in La Liga so far this season have consisted of 19 goals with a goal difference of plus three. They now face a Barcelona side that have scored 11 goals in their last two matches and do need to bounce back from a defeat in midweek. A result is tough to call but it could be quite an entertaining encounter at El Madrigal.
VILLARREAL VS BARCELONA TIP: OVER 2.5 GOALS
