Villarreal vs Barcelona Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News
By Robbie Walls
Second placed Barcelona take a trip away to face Villarreal on Sunday evening, as they continue their hunt for a third successive league title.
It's not exactly been the best week for La Blaugrana, with draws to both Celta Vigo and Atlético Madrid as well as rumours of a potential departure for an unhappy Lionel Messi.
In our first clash with @VillarrealCF this season, it only took @AntoGriezmann SIX minutes to find the net! #VillarrealBarça pic.twitter.com/oIPeQTdOlS
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 4, 2020
As for the home side, their Santi Cazorla-inspired push for a top four spot and Champions League qualification continues, with the Yellow Submarine just three points behind fourth placed Sevilla with five games left to play in this disrupted season.
Javier Calleja's side have been in excellent form since the restart, winning five out their six league fixtures, including a 2-0 victory over Real Betis last time out.
Here's 90min's preview of the match...
Where to Watch on TV
When Is Kick Off? Sunday 5 July
What Time Is Kick Off? 21:00
Where Is It Played? Estadio de la Cerámica
TV Channel/ Live Stream? La Liga TV (UK), fuboTV (US)
Team News
The hosts are likely to be without defender Ramiro Funes Mori through injury, while former Leicester City midfielder Vicente Iborra will also have to be assessed due to a muscle injury. Those two men aside, Calleja should have plenty options to choose from for what will be a stern test for his in-form side.
As for the visitors, they will again be without midfielder Frenkie de Jong, while Ousmane Dembélé is also set to miss the match as his torrid injury-plagued spell in Catalonia continues. Quique Setien will also be unable to select long-term absentee Samuel Umtiti and may choose to leave out midfielder Arthur after the Brazilian agreed to join Juventus.
Predicted Lineups
Villarreal: Asenjo; Gaspar, Albiol, Torres, Moreno; Cazorla, Trigueros, Anguissa, Chukwueze; Moreno, Bacca
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Vidal; Griezmann, Suarez, Messi
Recent Form
It's all begun to unravel for Setien as his side are crumbling under the pressure of Real Madrid's title challenge, in what has been a turbulent season on and off the pitch for the club. The Catalan giants have drawn three times already since the restart, with rivals Real Madrid capitalising to go four points clear atop the table.
As for the hosts, they have continued their fine form from before the suspension, beating the likes of Real Mallorca and Valencia since they returned to competitive action. A continuation of this fine run could be enough to realise their European hopes, in what would be a terrific story for a team that finished 14th in La Liga last season.
Here's a look both side's last five competitive fixtures:
Villarreal
Real Betis 0-2 Villarreal (1/7)
Villarreal 2-0 Valencia (28/6)
Villarreal 2-2 Sevilla (22/6)
Granada 0-1 Villarreal (19/6)
Villarreal 1-0 Real Mallorca (16/6)
Barcelona
Barcelona 2-2 Atlético Madrid (30/6)
Celta Vigo 2-2 Barcelona (27/6)
Barcelona 1-0 Athletic Bilbao (23/6)
Sevilla 0-0 Barcelona (19/6)
Barcelona 2-0 Leganes (16/6)
Prediction
Although Barcelona still remain title contenders this season, they are looking less and less like a side capable of winning a much coveted Champions League trophy. Villarreal on the other hand have had a fine season, lead by the staggering comeback of Cazorla and are a team who could pose a real threat to the away side.
Santi Cazorla has contributed to more La Liga goals this season than any other central midfielder.
— 90min (@90min_Football) June 23, 2020
His career was supposedly over! ? pic.twitter.com/WE6LxJgrF1
That being said, there may be a number of Barça players with a point to prove - including Lionel Messi - and their quality alone should be enough to clinch victory
Prediction: Villarreal 1-2 Barcelona