Preview: Barcelona vs. Villarreal - prediction, team news, lineups

The Catalan outfit suffered a 4-2 loss to Athletic Bilbao in the last eight of the cup on Wednesday, while Villarreal will enter this match off the back of a 1-1 draw with Mallorca in the league.

Match preview

Barcelona boss Xavi has accepted that he could lose his job if he is unable to deliver silverware this season, and the Catalan outfit are now only fighting on two fronts following Wednesday's loss at San Mames.

The two teams were level at 2-2 after 90 minutes of action, which saw the contest head for extra-time, and Athletic netted twice in the additional 30 minutes to advance in the competition.

Barcelona have not had a successful January in the cup competitions, losing 4-1 to Real Madrid in the final of the Spanish Super Cup earlier this month, but they have been victorious in their last three league matches against Almeria, Las Palmas and Real Betis.

Xavi's side, who will take on Napoli in the last-16 stage of the Champions League, are currently third in the La Liga table, eight points behind the leaders Girona, who have played a game more.

Barcelona were 4-2 winners over Real Betis in the league last weekend, but both of their La Liga losses this term have come on home soil, which is currently Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

The Catalan team will be seeking a fourth straight La Liga win over Villarreal on Saturday, with the run including a 4-3 victory in the reverse contest between the two sides earlier this season.

Villarreal finished fifth in Spain's top flight last term, while they have been in the top seven in their last four campaigns, but it has been a disappointing 2023-24 season to date.

Quique Setien and Pacheta both lost their jobs at the helm due to the team's problems, with Marcelino returning as head coach in the middle of November, but he has also found it difficult.

The Yellow Submarine have won five, drawn five and lost 11 of their 21 La Liga matches this season to collect 20 points, which has left them down in 14th position, only five points above the relegation zone.

Villarreal are on a run of four games without a win, three of which have been losses, including a 3-0 reverse to Las Palmas in their last match on their travels on January 13.

Marcelino's side could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to Mallorca last weekend, meanwhile, with Javier Llabres netting a 91st-minute leveller for the Pirates after Alexander Sorloth had sent Villarreal 1-0 ahead, and the visitors have only been victorious twice away from home in the league this term.

Barcelona La Liga form:

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L

D

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Barcelona form (all competitions):

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Villarreal La Liga form:

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D

Villarreal form (all competitions):

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D

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D

Team News

Barcelona will once again be missing Raphinha, Inigo Martinez, Marcos Alonso, Gavi and Marc-Andre ter Stegen for Saturday's contest with Villarreal through injury.

Andreas Christensen and Alejandro Balde will also miss out with the issues that they picked up in the defeat to Athletic last time out, but Ronald Araujo should be available despite a blow to the knee.

Joao Cancelo was back on the bench on Wednesday after overcoming a knee problem and should feature here, but the bulk of the XI that started at San Mames are set to retain their spots.

Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres should continue alongside Robert Lewandowski in the final third of the field, with Joao Felix recently dropping out of the starting side due to a disappointing run of form.

As for Villarreal, Pepe Reina is unavailable for selection due to suspension, while Alfonso Pedraza, Ramon Terrats, Dani Parejo, Raul Albiol, Juan Foyth, Yeremy Pino and Denis Suarez are all injured.

Head coach Marcelino could select the same XI that took to the field for the clash against Mallorca last time out, with Sorloth and Gerard Moreno operating in the final third of the field.

Alex Baena is set to continue in a wide position, while Santi Comesana and Francis Coquelin could again be given the nod in midfield despite the availability of Etienne Capoue.

Barcelona possible starting lineup:

Pena; Roberto, Araujo, Kounde, Cancelo; Pedri, F de Jong, Gundogan; Torres, Lewandowski, Yamal

Villarreal possible starting lineup:

Jorgensen; Femenia, Bailly, Cuenca, A Moreno; Akhomach, Comesana, Coquelin, Baena; G Moreno, Sorloth

We say: Barcelona 3-1 Villarreal

This has the potential to be a tricky match for Barcelona despite Villarreal's troubles. Both teams will be missing a number of important players, which makes it an intriguing contest, but we are expecting the reigning La Liga champions to have enough quality to secure all three points on Saturday.

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