Barcelona vs Villarreal Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Barcelona have been crowned champions of Spain and they will lift the trophy this weekend as they welcome a Villarreal side still competing for UEFA Champions League qualification.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Barcelona vs Villarreal may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Barcelona preview: Brilliant Blaugrana
Barcelona were crowned champions of Spain in midweek and earned their third trophy of the campaign after the Supercopa de Espana as well as the Copa del Rey. They won the title at city rivals Espanyol with a 2-0 victory at the RCDE Stadium the other day.
The brilliant, and still 17-year-old, Lamine Yamal scored another brilliant goal in the 53rd minute before Leandro Cabrera was sent off for Espanyol in the 80th minute. Another La Masia graduate, Fermin Lopez, sealed the victory for the Blaugrana in second-half stoppage-time.
Villarreal preview: Chasing UCL return
Ever since the appointment of former Athletic Club, Olympique de Marseille and Valencia boss Marcelino; Villarreal have been much-improved and they now begin the penultimate week of the campaign sitting five points clear of sixth place Real Betis.
They have timed an excellent run of form extremely well as they come into this one on the back of a comfortable 3-0 defeat of Leganes at El Madrigal in midweek thanks to a brace of goals from Ayoze Perez as well as a strike from former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe.
Barcelona team news: Ferran Torres injury
Ferran Torres missed the game against Espanyol in midweek so the still not yet fully fit Robert Lewandowski is expected to start. They remain without defender Inigo Martinez, as he is missing through suspension.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Eric Garcia, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Alex Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Unavailable: Inigo Martinez (Suspended), Kounde (Injured), Marc Bernal (Injured), Dani Rodriguez (Injured), Ferran Torres (Injured)
Questionable:
Villarreal team news: A few doubts
As they make the trip to Catalonia this weekend, the Yellow Submarine have a few key doubts such as Kiko Femenia, Ilias Akhomach and Thierno Barry. Experienced centre-back Raul Albiol, formerly of Real Madrid, is also unavailable for the visitors.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Junior; Pau Navarro, Foyth, Costa, Alfonso; Gueye, Dani Parejo; Pepe, Alex Baena, Yeremy Pino; Ayoze
Unavailable: Raul Albiol (Injured)
Questionable: Kiko Femenia (Injured), Akhomach (Injured), Barry (Injured)
Barcelona vs Villarreal prediction
Barcelona have been utterly magnificent throughout the campaign and they have produced some really memorable thrillers for the neutral. They have now scored 169 goals in 58 matches across all competitions. They now take on fellow entertainers of La Liga this season with the visitors’ 36 matches consisting of a combined total of 111 goals. A high-scoring encounter is to be expected with Barca set to celebrate their title victory.
Barcelona vs Villarreal tip: Over 2.5 goals
