Barcelona are looking to bounce back from a disappointing Champions League defeat this Sunday when they travel to Villarreal in La Liga.
After a perfect start to the Hansi Flick era, the Catalan giants were handed their first setback on Thursday evening as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Monaco in their first European outing of the season. An early red card for Eric Garcia proved costly, with Lamine Yamal’s first Champions League goal not enough to save Barca.
However, Flick’s side have won all five of their La Liga matches to date and are guaranteed to finish the weekend at the top of the table, regardless of results elsewhere or their own at Villarreal.
The Yellow Submarine have been in good form themselves at the start of the 2024/25 campaign and sit just four points off Barca. They remain unbeaten after three wins and two draws and they would be thrilled if they could maintain their invincible start to the term come Sunday evening.
Here is 90min’s guide to Villarreal vs Barcelona.
Location: Villarreal, Spain
Stadium: Estadio de la Ceramica
Date: Sunday 22 September
Kick-off Time: 17:30 BST / 12:30 ET / 09:30 PT
Referee: Mateo Busquets Ferrer
VAR: Javier Iglesias Villanueva
Current form (all competitions)
How to watch Villarreal vs Barcelona on TV and live stream
Villarreal team news
Villarreal are missing a few players for Barcelona’s visit, including influential striker Gerard Moreno. He’s joined by defenders Willy Kambwala, Juan Foyth and Alfonso Pedraza in the treatment room ahead of Sunday’s game.
Marcelino is unlikely to make many changes from the side that beat Mallorca 2-1 last time out, with the impressive renaissance of Ayoze Perez having continued in Villarreal. The former Leicester City forward has scored three times in La Liga and will be joined up front by Thierno Barry.
Villarreal predicted lineup vs Barcelona
Villarreal predicted lineup vs Barcelona (4-4-2): Conde; Femenia, Albiol, Costa, Cardona; Pino, Comesana, Parejo, Baena; Perez, Barry.
Barcelona team news
Barcelona’s injury list is significantly longer than Villarreal’s, with Dani Olmo perhaps the biggest miss heading into Sunday’s clash. The Spaniard won’t return until after the international break due to injury after making a positive start to life under Flick.
The Euro 2024 victor is joined by fellow midfielders Fermin Lopez, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong and Marc Bernal on the sidelines, while Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen are missing in defence.
Flick’s options are further impacted by the absence of Ferran Torres, who is suspended following his red card against Girona last weekend.
Barcelona predicted lineup vs Villarreal (4-2-3-1): Ter Stegen; Kounde, Martinez, Cubarsi, Balde; Casado, Garcia; Yamal, Pedri, Raphinha; Lewandowski.
Villarreal vs Barcelona score prediction
2-1 has been a favoured scoreline of Barcelona’s this season but they were on the wrong end against Monaco on Thursday. We’re backing them to bounce back against Villarreal in a tight affair between two in-form sides.
Barca’s injury concerns and lack of rotation options are concerning but Flick’s side have often found a way to win cagey games this season. A draw is not beyond the realms of possibility but the attacking quality of the visitors may swing the outcome.
