Barcelona have the opportunity to make a real statement in La Liga this weekend by going 11 points clear of Real Madrid, who are busy with the FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco.
The Catalans, who have only dropped two points in La Liga since losing El Clasico in mid-October, will have played a game more than their Madrid rivals. But a double figure cushion will put considerable pressure on Los Blancos when they return to domestic action.
Villarreal have been in top four contention for most of the season but have slipped away a little recently after a couple of disappointing results.
Where are Villarreal vs Barcelona playing?
- Location: Villarreal, Spain
- Stadium: Estadio de la Ceramica
- Date: Sunday 12 February
- Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 EST / 12:00 PST
- Referee: Alejandro Hernandez
Villarreal vs Barcelona H2H Results (Last Five Games)
- Villarreal: 1 Win
- Barcelona: 4 Wins
- Draws: 0
Current Form (Last Five Games)
- Villarreal: LLWLD
- Barcelona: WWWWW
How to watch Villarreal vs Barcelona on TV and live stream
United Kingdom
- La Liga TV
- Viaplay Sports 2
United States
- ESPN+
Canada
- TSN
Villarreal team news
Nicolas Jackson, who was on course to join Bournemouth in January until his medical saw the Premier League club withdraw from the propsed deal, is sidelined.
Villarreal predicted lineup vs Barcelona
(4-3-3): Reina; Foyth, Torres, Albiol, A. Moreno; Capoue, Parejo, Baena; Chukwueze, G. Moreno, Pino
Barcelona team news
Ousmane Dembele and Sergio Busquets are ruled out for Barcelona, who could hand Franck Kessie only a third La Liga start of the season in place of the latter.
Barcelona predicted lineup vs Villarreal
(4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde; Kessie, De Jong, Pedri; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Gavi
Villarreal vs Barcelona score prediction
Barcelona have been close to impossible to score against in La Liga this season, conceding only seven times in 20 games and keeping 15 clean sheets. That doesn't bode particularly well for a Villarreal side that has only scored 22 times, fewer than relegation-threatened Valencia.
With Raphinha in form and Robert Lewandowski hungry for goals, scoring at the other end shouldn't be a problem for Xavi's team.
Prediction: Villarreal 0-2 Barcelona
