Barcelona vs Villarreal prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-01-26 17:30.
Barcelona earned a dramatic 4-2 La Liga victory over Real Betis last weekend – the first time since late September that the Catalans had won three top-flight matches in a row. However, they are still eight points behind league leaders Girona ahead of the round – albeit with a game in a hand – which makes defeat here unthinkable as they host Villarreal, a team they beat 4-3 earlier in the season for an eighth win across the last nine league H2Hs (L1).
That sole loss came in a home encounter, but Barça will be happy to be back at Estadi OlĂmpic LluĂs Companys here. The Catalan giants have won 11 of their 13 competitive matches at their temporary base so far this term (L2), with those two defeats coming against Real Madrid and Girona, the league’s top two sides.
Villarreal contested a bittersweet 1-1 draw against Mallorca last weekend which halted a three-game competitive losing streak, although a late equaliser deprived them of the three points. That run of defeats prior to their latest result included a Copa del Rey exit to third-tier club Unionistas de Salamanca, who were then incidentally knocked out by Barcelona. Suffering that upset could be a blessing in disguise however, as the Yellow Submarine are just five points above the relegation zone ahead of this round and may benefit from solely focusing on survival.
Away form certainly explains why Villarreal linger dangerously close to the drop, as they’ve lost their last four matches on the road, conceding 3+ goals in the three league trips in that sequence. They have also let in three in eight of their last 12 top-flight H2Hs on their travels, no doubt leaving Marcelino’s squad worried about their defensive fragility.
Players to watch: A goal for João Félix could be good news for Barcelona as his two at home in the league this campaign have come in wins, as did his two personal H2H strikes. Villarreal’s Alexander Sørloth will be looking to build on his opener against Mallorca last Saturday and has three contributions (G2, A1) in his last two personal league H2Hs.
Hot stat: Barcelona have scored 15 of their 40 league goals this season beyond the 80th minute.