Barcelona has a chance to close the gap between them and league leaders Atletico Madrid to just two points with a win over Villarreal on Sunday. The title race is red-hot, with four teams fighting for it, and it’s going to be an extremely interesting finish of the campaign in Spain.
Barcelona is -143 favorite on William Hill Sportsbook to get a win at Estadio de la Ceramica. Check out the latest news and stats and see the best Villarreal vs. Barcelona betting pick.
Villarreal vs. Barcelona
Three-way: 1: Villarreal +375; X: +300 Draw; 2: Barcelona -143
Spread +0.5: Villarreal +127; Barcelona -143
Total 2.5 Goals: Over -154; Under +146
Both Teams to Score: Yes -154; No +129
VILLARREAL
Villarreal’s European qualification bid is faltering after two losses in three LaLiga matches (W1), making this a bad time to face Barcelona, who they haven’t beaten in a competitive H2H since March 2008 (D6, L19 following), after conceding 2+ goals in each of the last eight meetings. A good start might inspire them to a rare win, having scored a 59.18% majority of their league goals before HT this term.
Worryingly, they’ve won just one of their last six home league matches (D2, L3), while curiously, each of their last four witnessed scoring between the 61st and 70th minute. That’s notable as they’ve netted a league-high eight (66.67%) of 12 second-half home league goals during this time too.
Unai Emery cannot count on Pervis Estupinan (muscle) and Iborra (knee).
Betting Trends:
- Paco Alcácer has scored in two of Villarreal’s last three competitive fixtures, whilst three of his previous four competitive strikes opened the scoring
- Ahead of the round, a joint-league high 15 (46.88%) of Villarreal’s LL matches witnessed goals inside the opening 15 minutes this season
BARCELONA
Barcelona – who’s scored twice during this period in three competitive matches – didn’t seem to show any ill-effects of the ESL mess when hammering Getafe 5-2 on Thursday. Having now scored 4+ goals in a league-high eight LaLiga games this term, they moved third in the table, keeping their title hopes alive.
While they’ve not scored before the tenth minute on the road this LL season, that hasn’t hindered them much, particularly as no side has kept more LL away clean sheets than Barcelona this term (seven), and they’ve netted in both halves more often than any club too (eight). Meanwhile, none of their last 13 away league games were goalless at the break (HT: W8, L5).
Ronald Koeman will be without Martin Braithwaite (ankle) and Neto (ankle). Philippe Coutinho (knee), Ousmane Dembele, Anssumane Fati (knee), and Gerard Pique (muscle) are questionable to play on Sunday.
Betting Trends:
- Jordi Alba has contributed to ten LaLiga goals this term (three goals, seven assists), including assists in Barcelona’s last two away league games
- Barcelona scored at least a goal in each of the last 23 matches in LaLiga
Match Prediction
Barcelona won seven of the previous ten H2H encounters (D3) and is on a three-game winning run. Villarreal is looking for the first victory over Blaugrana since 2008, while the last time they beat Barca at home was in 2007. It is a favorable matchup for Koeman’s side, but I am not going to bet on the winner here.
Even ten of the previous 13 H2H duels produced goals on both ends (nine also produced over 2.5 goals), while that occurred in five of the last six meetings at Estadio de la Ceramica. I am backing BTTS & Over 2.5 goals in this one.
The Pick: Both teams to score YES & Over 2.5 Goals (-105)