Barcelona v Villarreal

Barcelona will go 4 points clear at the top of La Liga with a win. Can 3^rd place Villarreal dent their championship hopes?

Barcelona v Villarreal – Spotify Camp Nou 16:15 CET

Team News:

Andreas Christensen and Frenkie de Jong are injured, and Gerard Martin is suspended. Gavi is back fit after a long injury layoff and may still be eased back into playing.

Kambwala, Costa, Cabane, Moreno and Foyth are injured. Key man Papa Gueye will take a late fitness test as he has a slight injury.

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Formations:

4-2-3-1 for Barcelona although it can resemble a 4-3-3 at times.

4-4-2 for Villarreal under Marcelino with solid defence, high intensity pressing and work rate allied to fast counter attacking.  

Statistics:

Referee: Isidro Diaz de Mera (Average cards 5.83 Yellow 0.19 Red)

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Match Preview:

Barcelona top La Liga by 1 point over Real Madrid. Home form for them is amazing with 12 wins from 12 with a +32-goal difference. Recent all competitions form is good with 7 wins from last 9 games. However in that run was 2 losses. A defeat at Girona and hammering in the Copa del Rey to Atletico Madrid, shipping 4 goals in the 1st half of that match.

Villarreal are 3rd and 10 points behind the home side. Away form for them is ok with 6 wins from 12 games. Recent form is mixed with 3 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses. They left the UCL group stage with a whimper as they ended 2nd bottom and only managed 1 point in 8 games.

Betting Preview:

Barcelona at home are a monster. Winning every game in La Liga so far they will hope to make it lucky 13 here. The Yellow Submarine are in great shape themselves but will have little chance of taking anything. Take Barcelona -1 handicap and consider even the next one up as it should be a straight forward win.