Read our prediction for Barcelona vs Villarreal below. This preview was written by a sport journalist who is specialised in betting tips and predictions. Use our betting tips for the match between Barcelona vs Villarreal and you can increase your winnings!
Barcelona vs Villarreal Prediction & Betting tips
FC Barcelona continues its hunt for title promotion with the home game in its own Camp Nou against subtopper Villarreal. The Catalans have to win to boost the pressure on Real Madrid.
Barcelona :
The tension in the Spanish title fight is to cut. Both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid did not go stabbing last weekend, leaving the top position unchanged. The Catalans may still be a leader on the basis of a better mutual result, even though the Madrillians have another match. With only three duels to go, the star formation of trainer Luis Enrique does not have the title fight in its own right. Any point loss certainly means the death strike for the Blaugrana.
“Every benefit is a disadvantage,” said Johan Cruijff in the past. That is also true for FC Barcelona. The Catalans were eliminated by Juventus in the quarterfinals of the Champions League a few weeks ago and were therefore able to prepare for Villarreal at home all week. Luis Enrique released his men for several days, even though Iniesta went to the training complex for a recovery training. The midfielder probably returns this weekend to the base. Whether FC Barcelona wins again on Saturday afternoon will of course depend mainly on the form of Lionel Messi. Argentina’s 33-year-old competitor is the main candidate for winning the Golden Shoe, although he feels the hot breath of Bas Dost (31 goals on behalf of Sporting Portugal) in the neck. Scores are easy for the Catalans, even though they still want to drop in a defensive way. In just two of the last nine league matches, goalkeeper Ter Stegen managed to keep his goal clean.
Probable setup Barcelona
Ter Stegen; Alba, Umtiti, Pique, Sergi Roberto; Iniesta, Busquets, Rakitic; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
Villarreal :
Also for Villarreal there is still a lot going on Saturday afternoon. Fifth, the yellow shirts are on the league for Europa League qualification, but if everything stops (read: if the team finishes seventh and FC Barcelona loses the cup finale) they are left empty hands. In addition, trainer Fran Escriba has not even finished Champions League football: “A top four rating still has the potential.”
Villarreal has done well this season, because with another three duels, the team with 63 points has only a point less than last year after 38 games. The yellow shirts scarcely score, but have a bad backing. With only 28 opponents, only Atletico Madrid makes it even better. First goalkeeper Asenjo is in the lap basket, but second choice Andres turned out to be a good replacement. For Saturday afternoon, defender Alvaro Gonzalez and captain Bruno Soriano have doubts, although the duo seems to be fit for the cracker in the Camp Nou.
Probable setup Villarreal
Andres; Costa, Alvaro Gonzalez, Musacchio, Mario; Roberto Soriano, Trigueros, Bruno Soriano, Jonathan Dos Santos; Soldado, Bakambu
Barcelona vs Villarreal head to head
08.01.17 LL Villarreal Barcelona 1 : 1
20.03.16 LL Villarreal Barcelona 2 : 2
08.11.15 LL Barcelona Villarreal 3 : 0
04.03.15 CDR Villarreal Barcelona 1 : 3
11.02.15 CDR Barcelona Villarreal 3 : 1