After being dealt a bitter blow in midweek, Barcelona are back in La Liga action on Saturday evening as they host Villarreal.
The Copa del Rey was once a competition regarded as a bonus piece of silverware by Barca during their pomp, but the competition represented their best chance of a trophy this term. However, on Wednesday night, Xavi’s youthful side succumbed to Athletic Club at San Mames.
The defeat has only ramped up the pressure on the Barca boss, who appears to be on the brink. Anything but a win against a struggling Villarreal side this weekend and Xavi’s future will be thrust into serious doubt.
Barca are currently eight points adrift of La Liga leaders Girona with a game in-hand, while the Yellow Submarine enter Saturday’s match just five points clear of the drop in 14th.
Here’s 90min’s preview of Barcelona‘s upcoming La Liga fixture.
Barcelona vs Villarreal H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (all competitions)
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United Kingdom |
LaLigaTV, Viaplay Sports 2 |
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United States |
ESPN Deportes, ESPN+ |
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Canada |
TSN4, TSN+ |
Alejandro Balde is a fresh injury concern after he was withdrawn at San Mames. If he isn’t fit to start on Saturday, young Hector Fort could come into the side after impressing in midweek. Marcos Alonso is out with a back injury.
Joao Cancelo remains a doubt with a knee injury, while Andreas Christensen, Raphinha and Inigo Martinez are all unlikely to feature.
Gavi and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are longer-term absentees.
Barcelona predicted lineup vs Villarreal (4-3-3): Pena; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Fort; De Jong, Gundogan, Pedri; Yamal, Ferran, Felix.
The visitors are without veteran goalkeeper Pepe Reina after he picked up a red card for dissent in their 1-1 draw with Mallorca.
Aissa Mandi, meanwhile, is on international duty.
Villarreal have been without several key players for big chunks of the season, and their absences will continue this weekend. Yeremy Pino, Dani Parejo, Raul Albiol, Denis Suarez, and Alfonso Pedraza all won’t feature. Juan Foyth is a doubt.
Villarreal predicted lineup vs Barca (4-4-2): Jorgensen; Femenia, Bailly, Cuenca, Moreno; Akhomach, Coquelin, Comesana, Guedes; Moreno, Sorloth.
Lamine Yamal announced himself to La Liga with his performance in the reverse fixture, and the hosts may be reliant upon him for a spark on Saturday.
However, Xavi’s primary concern has to be his defence. The security of 2022/23 has dissipated, and recent injuries will only exacerbate their woes. While Villarreal are far from prolific, they’ve got a pair of impressive goal-getters up top who should get a few chances to add to their tallies.
The visitors, though, are pitiful defensively and their litany of injuries means it’ll be a tough ask for them this weekend despite Barca’s vulnerability.
Prediction: Barcelona 3-1 Villarreal
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90Mins
