Barcelona vs Villarreal, La Liga: Team News, Match Preview

Barcelona will attempt to spend another week at the summit of La Liga when they welcome high-flying Villarreal to the Greatest Stadium on Earth on Saturday, kick-off scheduled for 4:15 p.m. CET. Hansi Flick’s side reclaimed first place with a mature mid-week defeat of Levante and now face a Yellow Submarine outfit that has rediscovered the form that made them early-season title dark horses.

The hosts remain without Gavi, Andreas Christensen, Gerard Martín and Frenkie de Jong, but a full week of rest has allowed the squad to sharpen the improved defensive structure shown against Levante. That newfound stability will be stress-tested by a Villarreal attack that tormented Barça in the reverse fixture on New Year’s Eve, when Joan Garcia’s heroics and a string of mistimed finishes kept the scoreline blank during a frantic opening half-hour. Raphinha’s second-half double eventually sealed a 2-0 win for the Blaugrana, yet Flick warned on Friday that similar generosity will be punished this time around.

Villarreal arrive in Catalonia third in the table and unbeaten in four February fixtures, their only slip a draw at Athletic Club. A four-match January winless run ended genuine championship aspirations, yet Marcelino’s men remain on course for a return to the Champions League. Gerard Moreno is the lone injury doubt for the visitors, while defenders Logan Costa, Willy Kambwala and Juan Foyth are definitely out.

Barça’s recent troubles—embarrassing reverses versus Atlético Madrid and Girona—stemmed largely from conceding possession in compromising areas. The coaching staff has prioritised ball security in training, and the dividends were evident against Levante: shorter build-up sequences, quicker circulation and fewer opposition counters. They will need an even cleaner performance against a side comfortable ceding the ball and springing forward in a rigid 4-4-2 that morphs into a 4-2-4 in transition.

A victory would propel the leaders four points clear, at least until Real Madrid visit Rayo Vallecano on Monday night, and underline their credentials as title favourites. Anything less and the table could tighten dramatically with 11 rounds remaining.

Probable line-ups Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Joan; Kounde, Cubarsí, Eric, Cancelo; Bernal, Pedri; Yamal, Fermín, Raphinha; Ferran Villarreal (4-4-2): Júnior; Mouriño, Navarro, Veiga, Cardona; Comesaña, Gueye, Parejo, Moleiro; Pépé, Ayoze

Broadcast details Spain: Movistar United States: ESPN Deportes / ESPN+ United Kingdom: LaLigaTV Nigeria: SuperSport India: FanCode

Expect goals: the forecast is a 3-2 home triumph, but another sluggish start could turn Camp Nou nerves into outright anxiety.