Prediction: Barcelona vs Villarreal

Verdict: Robert Lewandowski to score anytime

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster

Seeking an immediate response this weekend, Barcelona will welcome Villarreal to the Nou Camp on Saturday evening.

Barcelona

Starting with the hosts, crashing out of the Copa del Rey earlier in the week following an action-packed 4-2 defeat away at Athletic Bilbao, it has been suggested that Xavi finds some mounting pressure on his shoulders. While the Spanish icons might have made real history last season as they claimed a first domestic crown since 2019, the defending champions have struggled to find much stability this time around. Opening Saturday’s showdown sat eight points adrift of top spot, Xavi’s squad will take plenty of positives from their continued success on home soil. Last seen at the Nou Camp claiming a routine 2-0 win against Osasuna, Barca have won five of their previous six domestic appearances in Catalonia. Storming their way to a Champions League knockout stage ticket last month, Saturday’s hosts will be excited by a rampant record against Villarreal. In fact, Xavi’s men have remarkably won 12 of their last 13 showdowns against the Yellow Submarine on home soil – a run that stems all the way back to March 2008.

Team News

Suffering a first half injury away at Athletic Bilbao earlier in the week, Barcelona look set to be without 20-year-old defender Alejandro Balde on Saturday evening. Likewise, Xavi will also be unable to call upon the likes of Marcos Alonso, Inigo Martinez, Javi and former Leeds winger Raphinha here.

Still dealing with an extended back injury and not making a single appearance across any competition since the middle of November, Marc-Andre ter Stegen still remains on the sidelines. Notching four strikes in his previous six domestic outings, Polish record-breaker Robert Lewandowski will lead Barca’s charge in Catalonia.

Villarreal

As for the visitors, while some in Villarreal’s camp might have opened up the 2023/24 campaign with their sights set on mounting another genuine Champions League charge, the Yellow Submarine are enduring a real domestic struggle. Crashing out of the Copa del Rey on January 8th as they suffered a shock penalties defeat at the hands of third-tier outfit Unionistas, Marcelino knows that he has a real job on his hands at the Estadio de la Ceramica. Opening the New Year with a 3-1 drumming away at Valencia, the Castellon-based outfit have recorded just a single victory from any of their previous six appearances across all competitions. Firmly battling it out in the bottom-half of the La Liga table, Villarreal have also gained a reputation for their extended struggles on the road. Last seen on their travels getting hit with a 3-0 defeat against Las Palmas, the former Athletic Bilbao boss has seen his struggling squad lose all of their last four contests outside of Castellon.

Team News

Dealing with a stacked injury list, Villarreal will once again be without the likes of Raul Albiol, Alfonso Pedraza, Dani Parejo, Denis Suarez and attacking talisman Jeremy Pino on Saturday evening. Shown a straight red card against Mallorca last weekend despite being an unused substitute, veteran goalkeeper Pepe Reina will serve a suspension here.

Bagging a seventh La Liga strike of the season last week, one-time Crystal Palace misfit Alexander Sorloth will spearhead Marcelino’s charge in Catalonia. Former Manchester United ace Eric Bailly will be partnered by ex-Barcelona starlet Jorge Cuenca at the heart of Villarreal’s defence.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Villarreal and Barcelona last met back on August 27th, Xavi’s side collected an action-packed 4-3 victory in Castellon.
• Barca have won all of their last three La Liga showdowns against Saturday’s guests by an aggregate score of 8-3.
• Likewise, the defending Spanish champions have won 12 of their previous 13 meetings against Villarreal on home soil.
• Villarreal have lost all of their last four domestic away fixtures across all competitions.
• The Yellow Submarine have recorded just a single clean sheet across any competition since way back on September 30th.

Conclusion

Crashing out of the Copa del Rey earlier in the week following a 4-2 defeat away at Athletic Bilbao, Barcelona are certainly seeking an immediate response here. However, winning five of their previous six domestic showdowns against Villarreal, Xavi’s men should be smelling a golden opportunity on Saturday evening. Landing an action-packed 4-3 victory when they travelled to Castellon for their reverse La Liga meeting on August 27th, it should also be noted that Barca have won 12 of their last 13 clashes at the Nou Camp.

Verdict: Robert Lewandowski to score anytime

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster