Verdict: Barcelona win
Finest Odds: 20/21
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Hoping to widen their buffer on the prime of the La Liga standings on Sunday afternoon, Barcelona will journey to Castellon once they meet Villarreal.
Villarreal
Beginning with the hosts, whereas Villarreal would possibly open this weekend’s fixtures sat in bronze medal place amongst Spain’s elite, the Yellow Submarine have proven some actual trigger for concern over the previous few weeks. Struggling a shock Copa del Rey exit away at Segunda outfit Racing Santander on Wednesday as they fell to a 2-1 loss, Marcelino’s facet shall be bracing themselves for a stern examination right here. Enduring what has been a public Champions League nightmare this season and final seen in European motion getting hit with an action-packed 3-2 defeat at house towards Copenhagen, Villarreal have suffered back-to-back losses for the primary time because the center of September. Nonetheless, it needs to be highlighted, Marcelino’s facet secured a sensational 3-2 victory once they final met the reigning Spanish champions again on Could 18th.
Villarreal Crew Information
Coping with a latest muscle challenge and never making a single La Liga look over the previous month, Villarreal are as soon as once more anticipated to be with out summer season recruit and former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey. Likewise, nonetheless sidelined with a long-term hamstring harm, ex-Manchester United teen Willy Kambwala will miss out right here.
Bagging a comfort Copa del Rey strike towards Racing Santander earlier within the week and now registering six direct objective contributions in as many appearances, former Newcastle striker Ayoze Perez might preserve his spot from the beginning. Making a everlasting change from Chelsea over the summer season, Renato Veiga will begin on the coronary heart of Marcelino’s defence.
Barcelona
As for the guests, extending on their respective Copa del Rey journey in midweek as they secured a 2-0 victory away at Guadalajara, Barcelona are having fun with what has turn out to be one other prolonged purple patch. With their sights firmly set on retaining their La Liga crown this season, Hansi Flick’s males have rightfully obtained a fearsome repute from throughout the continent. Getting this weekend’s fixtures main the chase on the prime of the desk, Sunday’s company shall be seeking to make one other assertion right here. Getting December underway with a 3-1 victory at house towards historic foes Atletico Madrid, the previous Bayern Munich boss finds the temper in his camp at a red-hot excessive. Together with one other 2-0 home win towards Osasuna final weekend, Barca have gained all of their earlier six appearances throughout all competitions.
Barcelona Crew Information
Handed an prolonged interval away to give attention to his psychological well being earlier within the month, Barcelona are as soon as once more anticipated to be with out Uruguayan worldwide Ronald Araujo right here. Likewise, coping with a latest shoulder challenge, former RB Leipzig playmaker Dani Olmo stays a serious doubt on Sunday afternoon.
Left as an unused substitute towards Osasuna final weekend, Polish record-breaker Robert Lewandowski might be handed a full recall within the closing third. Registering 13 direct objective contributions in as many La Liga appearances to date this season (six objectives, seven assists), 18-year-old famous person Lamine Yamal will play a number one position.
Villarreal vs Barcelona Key Elements to Take into account
- When Villarreal and Barcelona final met for a La Liga showdown again on Could 18th, Sunday’s hosts collected a shocking 3-2 victory in Catalonia.
- Villarreal have suffered consecutive defeats for the primary time because the center of September.
- Barcelona have gained all of their earlier six appearances throughout all competitions.
- The Yellow Submarine have seen their earlier seven matchups in Castellon produced 24 objectives at each ends of the pitch.
- 18-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal has registered 13 direct objective contributions in as many La Liga appearances to date this season (six objectives, seven assists).
Conclusion
Whereas Barcelona might need signed off the 2024/25 marketing campaign with a dramatic 3-2 loss by the hands of Villarreal, Flick’s defending champions will definitely be excited by a sensational report in Castellon. Together with a outstanding 5-1 romp once they travelled to the Estadio de la Ceramica final season, they’ve gained all of their earlier six consecutive visits to the Yellow Submarine and they are going to be seeking to make the same assertion right here. With Villarreal struggling back-to-back defeats for the primary time because the center of September, Sunday’s hosts shall be greater than conscious that they face a stern examination.
Verdict: Barcelona win
Finest Odds: 20/21
Bookmaker: Dachbet
