Barcelona vs Villarreal predictions and match preview for Thursday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as the Yellow Submarine travel to Camp Nou.
| Date | Thursday 20th October 2022 |
| Kick-Off | 21:00 (local time) |
| Stadium | Camp Nou |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Barcelona vs Villarreal Preview
The last of the midweek games will be in the Camp Nou as Barcelona host Villarreal on Thursday night. When these two sides play each other it is guaranteed goals and we should be in for an entertaining match.
It hasn’t been the best couple of weeks for Barcelona. It is looking likely they will be dropping into the Europa League and they will be coming into this game on the back of a 3-1 loss against arch rivals Real Madrid. It was a game that could have gone either way if chances were taken, but it was Real that were more clinical. The Catalans will have to dust themselves down and go again.
Head Coach Hernández has said his side are not playing well enough but he would have taken some positives from their last outing and will be wanting to get back to winning ways in this one and it will be interesting to see how his players respond to that defeat. There was at least some good news this week with Barça midfielder Gavi winning the Kopa Trophy. That should lift Xavi’s side’s morale but wins in LaLiga will be the main priority now and a win here is a must for the Blaugranas.
Villarreal have only conceded three goals in the league this season and looked very good in their last outing beating Osasuna 2-0. It was Arnaut Danjuma who got both goals and the in-form forward is really showing what he is all about. Head Coach Unai Emery will be coming here to win and win is what they did when the two sides last met here back in May.
If there was ever a good time to play Barcelona it probably should be now. The Yellow Submarine would love nothing more to have back to back wins in the Camp Nou and they could really make a statement in terms of their own top four ambitions if they were to get a win here.
Team News & Possible Lineups
Barcelona
| INJURED | Araujo, Depay, Christensen |
| DOUBTFUL | Bellerin |
| BANNED |
Possible XI: Ter Stegen – Alonso, Garcia, Kounde, Balde – Pedri, Busquets, Gavi – Fati, Lewandowski, Dembele (4-3-3)
Coach: Xavi
Villarreal
| INJURED | Gerard Moreno, Foyth, Coquelin |
| DOUBTFUL | Capoue, Lo Celso, Femenia, Albiol |
| BANNED |
Possible XI: Rulli – Pedraza, Torres, Mandi, Femenia – Lo Celso, Capoue, Parejo – Baena, Danjuma, Chukwueze (4-3-3)
Coach: Unai Emery
Score Prediction: Barcelona 2-1 Villarreal
What will be interesting is to see is how Barcelona respond to a bad week and Xavi’s team selection is also something to look out for. Villarreal will make it hard for Barça and will be coming here believing they can win. That could also be their downfall. We should see chances here for both sides but Barcelona have more firepower and that should see them take the three points.
PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga predictions are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.
