Barcelona vs Villarreal, Prediction, Odds and Betting Tips 27/01/2024
Calendar icon Updated 14 Feb 10:19

Barcelona vs Villarreal, Prediction, Odds and Betting Tips 27/01/2024

Kai Edvard Iliev Kai Edvard Iliev

Odds via Tonybet

Barcelona vs VillarrealJanuary 27 2024, 12:30 AM ET
FC Barcelona odds-270
Villarreal odds+620
Draw+480
Over\Under2.5 -294\+240

Barcelona vs Villarreal. Shape of the Teams

If I had to name this encounter, it probably would be something like “Unstable clubs with many injuries that have disappointed throughout the season.” 

It may sound harsh, but Barcelona will have to play without Gavi and Alejandro Balde. The latter suffered a concerning injury in the Copa del Rey match against Athletic Club.

On the other hand, Villarreal is grappling with the loss of Yeremy Pino for the rest of the season. Additionally, injuries to key players like Dani Parejo, Juan Foyth, and Ramón Terrats further deplete their squad.

Most readers will still remember Villarreal’s seasons under Unai Emery, filled with European success and often making the European places domestically in La Liga. 

But this is now a sight of the past – much like Sevilla, a few decisions gone wrong suddenly see the club sinking; Villarreal is now fifteenth. 

The managerial changes at Villarreal following Unai Emery’s departure have been marked by instability. The appointments of Quique Setien and Pacheta didn’t yield the desired results, leading the club to rehire Marcelino in an attempt to steady the ship.

Villarreal’s recent form underlines the challenges they are facing. In their last five games, they managed only one win, which came against Celta Vigo in a 2-3 victory.

More concerning, however, is their defensive record. The team has conceded a total of 42 goals while scoring 28, a defensive frailty matched only by Granada, a team deeply embroiled in the relegation battle.

In response to their defensive woes, Villarreal decided to bring former former player Eric Bailly from Turkey, where his contract was terminated due to disciplinary issues. 

Bailly, who has struggled with injuries since leaving Villarreal, is seen as a potential solution to their defensive problems. Fans surely hope he can rediscover his previous form, but that’s a question very few could answer.

Fortunately for Villarreal, the hosts are not exactly doing well either. Despite being in third place and having a game in hand, Barcelona has several issues to contend with.

Balde’s injury, which the media initially assured would only last a month, has now caused him to be out for a season. Gavi, another promising young talent, is also out with a long-term injury.

Barcelona has struggled to keep clean sheets in the absence of first-choice goalkeeper, who is also injured. This has been evident in their recent performances, including the 1-4 defeat in the Copa del Rey against Real Madrid and a lacklustre 2-4 loss at San Mamés against Athletic Club.

In the last month, Barcelona has only kept a clean sheet once, in a 2-0 victory against Osasuna, which probably tells one everything they need to know about Barcelona’s defence form. 

Xavi’s tenure has seen Barcelona eliminated from both the Spanish Supercup and the Copa Del Rey, leaving the Champions League and La Liga as the remaining opportunities for silverware this season. 

The Champions League path, facing Napoli, and the pursuit of the La Liga title, with tough competition from teams like Girona and Real Madrid, are critical for Xavi to avoid the repercussions of a trophyless season, especially given Barcelona’s current position in the league.

Last month’s performances, with the exception of a convincing win against Real Betis, have raised questions about the effectiveness of the resources and strategies at Xavi’s disposal. All of this promises a clash full of goals, with no defence from either side really able to guarantee clean sheets.

Barcelona vs Villarreal Main Match Info

Barcelona vs Villarreal Prediction, Odds

Encounters at the Yellow Submarine have often been thrilling, high-scoring affairs that excite the fans.

They typically feature less emphasis on defensive solidity from both teams. But at home in Barcelona, the current league defenders have had it rather easy, with Villarreal’s defensive woes usually allowing Barcelona’s individual quality to ensure the three points.

And yet, this clash seems very different – despite Barcelona still largely being the favourite. One notable issue for Barcelona is the form of striker Robert Lewandowski.  

Despite a strong start in his initial season, his impact in the current campaign has been less pronounced. This comes at a great price for Barcelona’s final third, where Lewandowski rarely finds himself at the right place at the right time. 

Barcelona cannot afford to spend money on a forward again, given its other troubles, which include the full-backs, wingers, and defensive midfielders. 

The other options to replace Lewandowski are Ferrán Torres, who has quite a different profile, and two very young players – academy graduate Marc Guiu and Vitor Roque, the most recent transfer from Brazil. Both still being teenagers, it would not be wise for Barcelona to rely solely on them to score most of the goals. 

On the other side, under the guidance of Álex Baena, Villarreal possesses the potential to find the back of the net. Baena’s influence could be key in unlocking Barcelona’s defence. However, Villarreal’s primary challenge lies in their own defensive performance.

Barcelona vs Villarreal Betting Tip

The clash promises a high-scoring affair, with Barcelona likely having the edge due to their superior individual talent.

Barcelona might consider not fielding Lamine Yamal, who appeared exhausted in the recent match at San Mamés. 

Instead, the presence of players like Pedri and Frenkie de Jong could be crucial in breaking through Villarreal’s defensive setup. Marcelino’s emphasis on pressing might not have been fully integrated into Villarreal’s playstyle yet, given his relatively short tenure with the team.

It also poses the question of whether Lewandowski will still play, given his less impactful performances throughout the season.

In any case, This match should provide an excellent opportunity for players like João Felix and Ferrán Torres, who could exploit the spaces in Villarreal’s defence. 

Disclaimer: Odds are accurate at the time of posting and subject to change. Please verify the latest odds on our platform before betting.

More analytics on soccer:

More Predictions:

Cookie Notice

This site uses cookies. Find out more about use of cookies in our privacy policy.

Cookie Policy