Barcelona vs Villarreal preview, details, team news and prediction

Barcelona will aim to bounce back from their disappointing Copa del Rey loss to Athletic Bilbao as they host Villarreal on matchday 22 in Laliga.

Xavi faces increasing pressure after their recent exit from the Copa del Rey. The team’s disappointing loss against Athletic Club has narrowed their focus to just two competitions this season.

Despite a valiant effort in extra time, Barcelona succumbed to a defeat as Athletic scored twice, sealing their progression in the tournament.

January hasn’t been kind to Barcelona in cup competitions, with a 4-1 loss to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final preceding their Copa del Rey disappointment. However, they have managed to secure victories in their last three league matches against Almeria, Las Palmas, and Real Betis.

Barcelona, under the guidance of Xavi, find themselves in a challenging position as they pursue silverware this season. Currently occupying the third spot in the La Liga standings, they trail leaders Girona by eight points, with Girona having played an additional game.

Despite their recent victory over Real Betis in a thrilling 4-2 encounter, Barcelona’s home ground has been somewhat of a stumbling block this season, with both of their La Liga losses occurring at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

In their upcoming fixture against Villarreal, Barcelona will be aiming to secure their fourth consecutive La Liga victory over their opponents, hoping to replicate their 4-3 triumph in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

While Barcelona remain within striking distance of leaders Real Madrid and Girona in the league, any further setbacks could severely dent their title aspirations. With the Champions League last-16 clash against Napoli looming, their hopes of European glory also hang in the balance. As such, La Liga represents their most feasible avenue for silverware this season.

Villarreal’s recent seasons have been marked by consistency in Spain’s top flight, finishing in the top seven in their last four campaigns. However, the 2023-24 season has been a stark departure from their usual form.

The managerial carousel saw Quique Setien and Pacheta depart due to the team’s struggles, with Marcelino returning as head coach in November. However, even Marcelino has faced challenges in turning the team’s fortunes around.

With five wins, five draws, and 11 losses in 21 La Liga matches, Villarreal find themselves languishing in 14th place, a mere five points clear of the relegation zone.

Their recent form has been cause for concern, with a four-game winless streak, including three losses, amplifying the pressure on Marcelino’s side. A 3-0 defeat to Las Palmas in their last away match highlighted their struggles on the road.

In their latest outing, Villarreal managed only a 1-1 draw against Mallorca, conceding a late equalizer despite initially taking the lead. With just two away victories in the league this season, Villarreal face an uphill battle to climb up the La Liga table and secure their status for the next campaign.

Both Barcelona and Villarreal have struggled defensively throughout the season, exemplified by their high-scoring encounter in their previous meeting, which ended 4-3 in favour of Barcelona. Despite Villarreal’s position in 14th place in the table, Barcelona cannot afford to underestimate them, as the outcome remains uncertain given Barcelona’s unpredictable form.

Barcelona v Villarreal match details 

•LOCATION: Barcelona, Spain

•STADIUM: Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys

•DATE: January 27, 2024,

•KICK-OFF TIME: 6.30 pm CET/WAT, 5.30 pm GMT, 12.30 pm ET, 9.30 am PT, 11 pm IST

•REFEREE: José Luis Munuera Montero

•VAR: Santiago Jaime Latre

TICKETS: You can buy Barcelona tickets through the official club channels or via trusted resellers such as seatsnet.com.

Match stats & head-to-head 

• Barcelona have secured victories in their past three league fixtures, although their overall performance in all competitions has been less consistent, with two losses in their last four outings.

• In terms of offensive prowess, Barcelona rank among the top goal-scoring teams in La Liga, sharing the third-highest goal tally.

• However, Villarreal’s defensive struggles are evident, as they currently possess one of the poorest defensive records in the league, having conceded 42 goals in 21 matches.

• Barcelona have historically dominated matches against Villarreal, emerging victorious in 31 out of their last 49 encounters, compared to Villarreal’s eight wins.

• Despite their offensive prowess, Barcelona have conceded 24 goals in La Liga this season, marking the highest among the top six teams in the competition.

• Villarreal’s recent form have been lacklustre, as they have failed to secure a win in their last four matches across all competitions, with their most recent victory being a 3-2 triumph over Celta Vigo in La Liga.

Barcelona v Villarreal team news 

The Blaugrana are facing notable absences in their squad, with Andreas Christensen, Alejandro Balde, Raphinha, Inigo Martinez, Marcos Alonso, Gavi, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen all sidelined due to injuries.

However, amidst the injury concerns, there is a positive note as Ronald Araujo is expected to be available despite his recent knee setback, while Joao Cancelo is set to return to the starting lineup after recovering from a knee injury.

Head coach, Xavi is likely to maintain the team’s formation in a 4-3-3 setup, with Inaki Pena continuing as the goalkeeper. Sergi Roberto is slated to fill in at right-back, while Cancelo is anticipated to assume the left-back position. In central defence, Araujo is poised to partner with Jules Kounde.

In the attacking department, the in-form Ferran Torres is set to occupy the left-wing position, with youngster Lamine Yamal entrusted with duties on the right flank. Leading the line will be the experienced striker, Robert Lewandowski, providing a potent threat in Barcelona’s offensive endeavours.

Villarreal will be dealing with a considerable list of absentees, including Alfonso Pedraza, Ramon Terrats, Dani Parejo, Raul Albiol, Juan Foyth, Yeremy Pino, and Denis Suarez. Additionally, Pepe Reina will be sidelined due to suspension following his red card in the previous match.

Head coach, Marcelino may opt to field the same starting lineup from their recent fixture. Despite not securing a victory, the team showed promising signs and considering the injury woes, maintaining consistency might be their best approach against Barcelona.

Filip Jorgensen is expected to retain his place in goal as Villarreal set up in a 4-4-2 formation. The defensive line will comprise Kiko Femenía, Eric Bailly, Jorge Cuenca, and Alberto Moreno, with Femenia and Moreno tasked with providing width on the flanks while Bailly and Cuenca anchor the central defence.

Ilias Akhomach and Alex Baena will operate in wide midfield roles, offering support to the full-backs defensively and contributing to attacking plays. In the midfield, Santi Comesaña and Francis Coquelin will play centrally, aiming to dictate play and thwart Barcelona’s midfield dominance.

Upfront, Gerard Moreno will pair with Alexander Sorloth to spearhead Villarreal’s attacking endeavours, aiming to capitalize on any scoring opportunities that come their way.

Predicted starting line-up 

Barcelona predicted starting lineup:

Barcelona: Peña; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsí, Cancelo; Fermín, De Jong, Roberto; Ferran, Lewandowski, Félix

Villarreal predicted starting lineup:

Jorgensen; Femenia, Bailly, Cuenca, A Moreno; Akhomach, Comesana, Coquelin, Baena; G Moreno, Sorloth

Prediction 

Under Marcelino’s guidance, Villarreal are adept at executing a tactical blend of high-pressing and organized defensive blocks. However, they might opt for a more conservative approach against Barcelona, prioritizing defensive solidity and looking to exploit opportunities on the counterattack. This strategy has proven effective against Xavi’s side in the past and could pose significant challenges for Barcelona if they fail to break through early in the game.

For Barcelona, securing a victory in this fixture is crucial if they harbour any aspirations of contending for the La Liga title. Conversely, Villarreal are also desperate for points to steer clear of the relegation zone. The match promises to be intense, with both teams aiming to secure vital points.

Expect moments of defensive vulnerability and potential goal-scoring opportunities for both sides, making for an exciting and unpredictable encounter.