| Odds via 22bet | |
| Villarreal CF vs FC Barcelona | September 22, 18:30 GMT+1 |
| Villarreal CF odds | 3.96 |
| FC Barcelona odds | 1.65 |
| Draw | 4.28 |
| Over\Under | Total 2,5: 1.35/2.79 |
It has been about ten months since Marcelino’s return to Villarreal, around a decade after his first stint at the club. Some may remember his brief tenure at Marseille, marred by off-field issues.
Initially, a few fans were skeptical about his appointment, especially with the return of Eric Bailly. Now, ten months into his second spell, most would agree bringing Marcelino back was the right decision, as Villarreal sit fourth in La Liga, one of only four unbeaten teams left.
So far, Marcelino has guided the team to three wins in five La Liga matches, including a 2-1 victory over Sevilla and a thrilling 4-3 win against Celta Vigo. Since Unai Emery’s departure, Villarreal has struggled defensively, but Marcelino has embraced an attacking philosophy.
Villarreal has not kept a clean sheet this season, but they’ve scored in every game. The team drew 1-1 with Valencia, even after being reduced to 10 men, and started the season with a 2-2 tie against Atlético de Madrid.
Many feared that the departures of Arnaut Danjuma and Alexander Sørloth would hurt the attack. However, Ayoze Pérez has stepped up, and Alex Baena remains one of the league’s most underrated players.
| Recent Form | DWWDW |
| Key Player to Watch | Alex Baena |
| Team Strengths | Counter-attacking football, build-up through the center, 4-4-2 block |
| Team Weaknesses | ´Lack of pace on the wings, defence’s inability to keep a clean sheet |
| Key injuries and suspensions. | Gerard Moreno |
For much of the season, it seemed like Hansi Flick had found the perfect formula for Barcelona. Despite squad limitations, he made the best of what he had.
However, things took a turn when Marc Bernal tore his ACL, followed by Dani Olmo, who suffered a month-long injury after just four weeks of strong performances. Fermin López was the next casualty in Barcelona’s injury crisis.
Flick’s unbeaten run ended during his first Champions League night with Barcelona, where Eric García received a red card and they lost 2-1 against AS Monaco. Despite this, Barcelona remains top of La Liga and a formidable opponent.
Lamine Yamal continues to be the breakout star of the season, dazzling fans with his dribbling and confidence. Alongside him, Raphinha has been scoring key goals. Managing Yamal’s playing time will be crucial to avoid overloading his young muscles.
On the bright side, Ansu Fati is back from injury and could feature against Villarreal, having sat out the AS Monaco match
| Recent Form | WWWWD |
| Key Player to Watch | Lamine Yamal |
| Team Strengths | 1v1 wingers, vertical transitions, triangulation involving central and flank players |
| Team Weaknesses | Lack of a functional striker, a lack of a pivot, an excess of injuries |
| Key injuries and suspensions. | Marc Bernal, Frenkie de Jong, Dani Olmo, Fermin López, Gavi, Ronald Araújo and Andreas Christensen |
Matches between Villarreal and Barcelona are rarely short on goals. The last clash ended in a 5-3 win for Villarreal, while the previous meeting saw Barcelona take a 4-3 victory at Villarreal’s ground. A goalless draw between these two sides is exceedingly rare, with the last one occurring over a decade ago.
Villarreal has never started a season as well as this one, which adds extra excitement to the match. Historically, Barcelona dominates this fixture, winning 24 of the 32 meetings, while Villarreal has only won twice.
Bet hereFor Villarreal, Alex Baena stands out. Despite not having a chance to shine during EURO 2024, he’s thriving at Villarreal. His combination of technique and killer instinct in front of goal makes him a key player for Barcelona to neutralize.
For Barcelona, Lamine Yamal is the player to watch. At just 17 years old, he’s been terrorizing defenders all season, forcing opponents to develop “Anti-Yamal” strategies. His ability to take on multiple defenders and create chances makes him Barcelona’s biggest threat.
This match promises chaos, as both teams are defensively vulnerable. Villarreal will likely sit in a 4-4-2 mid-block and aim to counter-attack, while Barcelona will look to stretch the pitch, finding Yamal and Raphinha in advanced positions.
Dropping Robert Lewandowski may be worth considering, as his performances have been underwhelming. In contrast, Pau Víctor has shown promise. Barcelona’s attackers will look to exploit Villarreal’s shaky defence, especially in 1v1 situations.
Expect goals – this matchup almost guarantees it. Barcelona’s individual quality should be enough to see them through, despite their recent loss to AS Monaco. Their superior talent across the board gives them the edge in this high-scoring affair.
No defence has yet figured out how to contain Lamine Yamal, and Villarreal’s leaky backline will struggle to cope with his dribbling and direct play. After a strong showing against Monaco, Yamal will likely make his mark on the scoresheet.
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