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Barcelona v Villarreal match preview
An occasion that looked like being a potential title-decider at one point on Thursday night will now be a celebration of an exceptional season for Barcelona when the newly-crowned champions host fifth-placed Villarreal in La Liga on Saturday.
Barca almost fell behind twice before half-time in a keenly contested derby at Espanyol, only for Lamine Yamal’s sensational strike to put Hansi Flick’s side on their way to a 2-0 win that secured the title with two games to spare at Real Madrid’s expense.
Their final game of the campaign at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys will arrive little more than 48 hours after a victory parade starting from their temporary first-team home, marking their triumphs in the top flight, Copa del Rey and Super Cup during Flick’s first season in Spain.
The German’s players held back after full-time at the RCDE Stadium. “We wanted to respect Espanyol’s fans, so we celebrated in the locker room – as we should,” explained Flick. “When I see people happy and smiling, I’m happy.”
Villarreal are on the brink of returning to the Champions League for the first time since their defeat to Liverpool in the 2021/22 semi-finals.
Needing to finish fifth, the Yellow Submarine are five points above sixth-placed Real Betis immediately below them with two games remaining and a seven-goal superiority.
“We’d like to secure it ourselves, because it’s a very important match and at a great ground,” said manager Marcelino (via AS), referencing Betis’s tricky simultaneous fixture away at Atletico Madrid.
“Picking up points in Barcelona [will] guarantee that for us; it’s difficult, but we have to try. We’re feeling good and, when you feel good, you believe you’re capable of beating anyone, including Barca.”
Marcelino, whose team will form a guard of honour for their opponents, is sensibly wary of the hosts but added that he does not expect them to have “the same level of focus” after achieving their remaining ambition for 2024/25.
Barcelona v Villarreal team news
Marcelino believes it is “possible” that right-back Kiko Femenia and forward Thierno Barry could return from injuries that have kept both players out for two games.
Barry has 11 league goals and three assists this season but has had a hamstring issue, while Femenia has been hampered by a calf problem.
“They’ve recovered well and there’s no risk of major injury,” said Marcelino. “We always want to avoid risks, but we want to have as many players as possible. If everything goes as planned, they could be available.”
Centre-back Inigo Martinez is suspended for Barcelona, with Ronald Araujo deputising as captain at Espanyol before making way six minutes after the break with an apparent knock.
Uruguay international Araujo has come in for criticism after making two mistakes during the second leg of his side’s Champions League semi-final defeat to Inter.
Full-back Gerard Martin was replaced by Alejandro Balde at half-time after a shaky first half from an unfamiliar Barcelona back four, although their second-half transformation was as much to do with tactical tweaks by Flick as the change of personnel.
Top scorer Robert Lewandowski returned in that game in place of Ferran Torres, who will remain out after undergoing an operation for appendicitis.
Lewandowski is second to Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe in the Liga top scorer race, with the Poland icon’s 25 league goals putting him three behind the France talisman.
Barcelona v Villarreal expected line-ups
Barcelona starting XI: Szczesny, Garcia, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde, De Jong, Pedri, Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha, Lewandowski
Villarreal starting XI: Junior, Pau Navarro, Foyth, Costa, Alfonso, Gueye, Parejo, Pepe, Baena, Pino, Ayoze
How to watch Barcelona v Villarreal: Live stream, TV channel
Kick-off on Sunday is at 18:00, with live coverage on LaLigaTV and Premier Sports 1.
Various subscription packages are available. Via streaming and apps, Premier Player costs £15.99 a month, £11.99 a month annually, £120 a year upfront or £7.99 a month for LaLigaTV only.
Barcelona v Villarreal stats
- In 3 of the last 4 Barcelona matches the sum of goals was over 5.5
- In 7 of the last 8 Barcelona matches the sum of goals was over 2.5
- In 4 of the last 5 Barcelona matches the sum of goals was over 4.5
- In 6 of the last 8 Barcelona matches the sum of goals was over 3.5
- Barcelona have won 3 of the last 4 matches in the LaLiga and the sum of goals was over 2.5
- In 12 of the last 14 Villarreal matches the sum of goals was under 3.5
- In 12 of the last 14 Villarreal matches in the LaLiga, the sum of goals was under 3.5
- In 5 of the last 7 Villarreal matches the sum of goals was over 2.5
- In 5 of the last 7 Villarreal matches in the LaLiga, the sum of goals was over 2.5
- Villarreal have won 3 of the last 4 matches and the sum of goals was under 3.5
Barcelona v Villarreal prediction
Partly buoyed by Betis’s draw at Rayo Vallecano on Thursday, Villarreal arrive in excellent form after beating Espanyol, Osasuna, Girona and Leganes while keeping three clean sheets along the way.
Ayoze Perez is a particular threat for the side who have scored the most times apart from Barca and Madrid, notching 18 goals and two assists in the league this season.
How much Barcelona’s partying will affect their competitive edge is tough to call, but a run of 15 wins and a draw in their previous 16 league games and the chance to finish on a high at home is enough to back them to take the game sufficiently seriously. A 2-2 draw might satisfy both teams.
