Barcelona will travel to the Estadio de la Ceramica to take on Villarreal in La Liga on Tuesday night.
La Blaugrana are coming off a 2-0 win against Espanyol on Saturday in which Lionel Messi scored a brace and secured 40 goals for the tenth straight season. Villarreal took a two-goal lead in their match against Celta Vigo but ultimately lost the match 3-2 following a late penalty.
Barca sit at the top of the table, 10 points ahead of second placed Atletico, while the Yellow Submarine are just one point above the relegation zone following their loss at the weekend.
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Where to Watch
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?When Is Kickoff? | Tuesday 2 April |
?What Time Is Kickoff? | 20:30 BST |
?Where Is it Played? | Estadio de la Ceramica |
?TV Channel/Live Stream | Movistar Partidazo |
?Referee | Harnandez Hernandez |
Team News
Barcelona
The Blaugrana are still waiting for an update on backup keeper Jasper Cillessen who hurt his hip earlier in the week but are confident he will be fit for the clash.
Villarreal
Predicted Lineups
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?Villarreal | Asenjo; Ruiz, Gonzalez, Mario; Alfonso, Cazorla, Morlanes, Quintilla, Iborra, Chukwueze; Toko Ekambi |
?Barcelona | Ter Stegen; Alba, Lenglet, Pique, Roberto; Arthur, Busquets, Rakitic; Coutinho, Suarez, Messi |
Head-to-Head Record
The two clubs have faced off 41 times since the 1998/99 season with Barcelona holding a commanding lead in the fixture. Barca have won 24 times while Villarreal have taken home eight matches for themselves. The other nine games between the sides have ended in a draw.
When the squads faced off at the beginning of December, Barcelona took home all three points when they won 2-0 courtesy of goals from Pique and Carlos Alena.
Recent Form
Barca have been in fine form of late, losing only once since the final day of January in the Supercopa de Catalunya final to Girona. The Blaugrana have won all six of their previous La Liga
Despite throwing away a two-goal lead in their previous match, Villarreal had won all four of their matches prior to the game against Celta Vigo. The squad advanced to the Europa League quarter-finals after defeating Zenit by an aggregate score of 5-2 in the round of 16.
? THERE, PIC OF THE WEEKEND ?
3-2, full time
CELTA ? ARE ALIVE.
Iago @aspas10 crying on the bench, swept by THE FEELS after turning an impossible game around.
Celta, 28 points. ONE point away from Villarreal (29) and being clear from danger.#CeltaVillarreal #LLL
???? pic.twitter.com/MYBMjX0zNL— La Liga Lowdown ????? (@LaLigaLowdown) March 30, 2019
Here’s how each side has fared in their previous five matches in all competitions:
?Villarreal | Barcelona? |
Celta Vigo 3-2 Villarreal (30/03) | ?Barcelona 2-0 Espanyol (30/03) |
?Villarreal 3-1 Rayo Vallecano (17/03) | Real Betis 1-4 Barcelona (17/03) |
?Villarreal 2-1 Zenit (14/03) | ?Barcelona 5-1 Lyon (13/03) |
Levante 0-2 Villarreal (10/03) | ?Barcelona 3-1 Rayo Vallecano (09/03) |
Zenit 1-3 Villarreal (07/03) | ?Barcelona 0-1 Girona (06/03) |
Prediction
?Messi
The Yellow Submarine are fighting for their survival in the top flight which can always provide a bit of drama in a match. Villarreal have not been particularly poor in recent matches and will hope to steal three points from the league leaders in a vital home match.
Despite Villarreal’s plight, Barcelona will prove to be too much and the Blaugrana stars will come to play in this match.
Prediction: Villarreal 0-3 Barcelona
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