Barcelona look to bounce back from a disappointing Champions League defeat this Sunday when they travel to Villarreal in La Liga.
After a perfect start to the Hansi Flick era, the Catalan giants suffered their first setback on Thursday evening, falling to a 2-1 defeat against Monaco in their first European outing of the season. An early red card for Eric Garcia proved costly, with Lamine Yamal’s first Champions League The goal is not enough to save Barça.
However, Flick’s side have won all five of their La Liga games so far and are guaranteed to finish the weekend at the top of the table, regardless of results elsewhere or at Villarreal.
The Yellow Submarine has been in good form at the start of the 2024/25 campaign and is just four points behind Barça. They remain unbeaten after three wins and two draws and would be delighted if they can maintain their unbeaten start to their tenure on Sunday evening.
here it is 90 minutes Villarreal vs. guide Barcelona.
location: Villarreal, Spain
stadium: Ceramic Stadium
date: Sunday, September 22
Start time: 17:30 BST / 12:30 ET / 09:30 PT
referee: Mateu Busquets Ferrer
WAS: Javier Iglesias Villanueva
Villarreal vs Barcelona head-to-head record (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Villarreal |
Barcelona |
|---|---|
|
Mallorca 1-2 Villarreal – 14/09/24 |
Monaco 2-1 Barcelona – 19/09/24 |
|
Valencia 1-1 Villarreal – 31/08/24 |
Girona 1-4 Barcelona – 15/09/24 |
|
Villarreal 4-3 Celta Vigo – 26/08/24 |
Barcelona 7-0 Real Valladolid – 31/08/24 |
|
Sevilla 1-2 Villarreal – 23/08/24 |
Rayo Vallecano 1-2 Barcelona – 27/08/24 |
|
Villarreal 2-2 Atlético de Madrid – 19/08/24 |
Barcelona 2-1 Athletic Club – 24/08/24 |
|
country |
TV channel/live broadcast |
|---|---|
|
united kingdom |
Premier Sports 2, Premier Sports Player, LaLigaTV |
|
united states |
fuboTV, ESPN+, ESPN App, ESPN Deportes |
|
canada |
TSN+ |
Villarreal are missing some players for Barcelona’s visit, including influential striker Gerard Moreno. He is joined by defenders Willy Kambwala, Juan Foyth and Alfonso Pedraza in the treatment room ahead of Sunday’s game.
Marcelino is unlikely to make many changes from the side that beat Mallorca 2-1 last time out, with Ayoze Pérez’s impressive revival continuing at Villarreal. The former Leicester City striker has scored three goals in the League and will join Thierno Barry up front.
Expected line-up of Vila-real – Barcelona (4-4-2): Conde; Femenia, Albiol, Costa, Cardona; Pino, Comesana, Parejo, Baena; Perez, Barry.
Barcelona’s injury list is significantly longer than Villarreal’s, with Dani Olmo perhaps the biggest mistake heading into Sunday’s clash. The Spaniard will not return until after the international injury break after making a positive start to life with Flick.
The Euro 2024 winner is joined by fellow midfielders Fermin López, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong and Marc Bernal on the sidelines, while Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen are missing in defence.
Flick’s options are more affected by the absence of Ferran Torres, suspended after the red card against Girona last weekend.
Predicted line-up of Barcelona vs Villarreal (4-2-3-1): Ter Stegen; Kounde, Martinez, Cubarsi, Balde; Married, Garcia; Yamal, Pedri, Raphinha; Lewandowski.
2-1 has been Barcelona’s favorite scoreline this season, but they got it wrong against Monaco on Thursday. We’re backing them to bounce back against Villarreal in a tight game between two in-form sides.
Barca’s injury concerns and lack of rotation options are worrying, but Flick’s side have often found a way to win sticky games this season. A draw is not beyond the realms of possibility, but the attacking quality of the visitors can change the result.
