Barcelona vs Villarreal predictions, H2H and match preview for this Tuesday’s game in La Liga. Read on for analysis and predicted line-ups as the Catalans aim to bounce back from a damaging defeat.
Barcelona vs Villarreal Preview
This will be a big test of the current mood at Camp Nou when it comes to their team and coach who has again come in for enormous criticism from sections of Barcelona’s international fanbase after a damaging defeat to Granada on matchday 5. Until now, Barcelona’s local fans have been far more loyal to Valverde who has delivered back-to-back league titles, but their patience may have been tested by another abject away performance.
Barcelona have still done the business at home this season. They’ve beaten very decent Betis and Valencia sides by 5-2 margins, both fixtures that caused them to drop points last term. However this may just be their toughest home test of the season yet against a revitalised Villarreal side.
The Yellow Submarine have won back to back games to nil, a feat they didn’t manage at any point last term. That certainly points to defensive improvements, even since the opening day when they were involved in a 4-4 thriller against Granada. That was also the score the last time these sides met when Barca scored twice at the death to snatch a point in arguably the best game of last season at the Ceramica.
However meetings at Camp Nou have been far more one-sided, with Barcelona dominating this fixture in recent years. They should at least be able to name Leo Messi in their starting eleven for the first time this season here. There should be rotation in midfield but it’ll be interesting to see whether Valverde opts to go with Griezmann, Messi and Suarez up top or if he instead favours 16 year old Ansu Fati who was rested in Granada.
Villarreal may consider giving Santi Cazorla a rest in this game with Javier Ontiveros and Samuel Chukwueze both pushing for a start should Javi Calleja opt to shuffle his pack.
Barcelona vs Villarreal Predictions
Score Prediction: 3-2 Barcelona
This is a really intriguing match-up. For the first time in 18 months or more, Villarreal are starting to look a bit more like the real deal with plenty of quality going forward but finally some defensive foundations that appear more solid. Much may depend on Leo Messi who is clearly not fully match fit yet but even at 80%, the Argentine could be the difference maker here.
Barcelona vs Villarreal H2H
- Last 6 meetings: 4 Barcelona Wins, 2 Draws.
- These sides last met in April, playing out a thrilling 4-4 draw at the Ceramica.
- Barca have won all of their last 9 home games against Villarreal in all competitions.
- They’ve scored 3 or more in 5 of the last 6 meetings at Camp Nou.
Read all our La Liga midweek previews here.
Predicted Line Ups
Barcelona Team:
Ter Stegen – Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Firpo – Busquets, Arthur, Rakitic – Messi, Suarez, Griezmann (4-3-3)
Villarreal Team:
Asenjo – Quintilla, Torres, Albiol, Pena – Anguissa, Iborra – Ontiveros, Gomez, Chukwueze – Moreno (4-2-3-1)
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