Barcelona Vs Villarreal Premier League Football Match Score 2023
Barcelona will be aiming to make it six La Liga victories in a row and open up a 11-point lead at the top of the table when they head to Villarreal on Sunday night. The Catalan giants are currently in pole position to reclaim the title, while Villarreal are sixth in the division, four points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid in the battle for a Champions League spot.
Villarreal won four of their five league matches between November 9 and January 22 to leave themselves in a strong position in the table, but the Yellow Submarine have now lost their last two against Rayo Vallecano and Elche, becoming the first team to be beaten by the latter in La Liga this term.
The 3-1 defeat at Elche was certainly a shock and a real setback for Quique Setien’s side, but they will now have the chance to bounce back against the best team in La Liga, according to the league table at least. Villarreal are still firmly in the battle for the top four, currently sitting sixth in the table, four points behind fourth-placed Atletico, but they are only three points ahead of 10th-placed Mallorca, so a slide down the table could occur if their disappointing run of form continues.
Setien’s team have largely been strong at home this season, picking up 19 points from nine matches, which is the fourth-best record in the division, but they will be welcoming a Barcelona side with the best away record, having picked up an impressive 27 points from 10 matches on their travels.
Villarreal, who have not finished fourth in La Liga since 2015-16, have lost six of their last seven league games against Barcelona, but they did famously win 2-0 at Camp Nou last season.
Barcelona’s failure to qualify for the knockout round of the Champions League was a huge blow, but aside from the European disappointment, it has been a hugely positive campaign for the club thus far.
Xavi won his first trophy as Barcelona manager last month, beating Real Madrid to win the Spanish Super Cup, while the Catalan outfit are chasing success in the Copa del Rey and Europa League. Blaugrana will face Real Madrid in a two-legged semi-final in the Spanish Cup, while they will take on English giants Manchester United over two legs in a Europa League knockout round playoff, with the first fixture between the two teams set to take place at Camp Nou next week.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has said that the team’s main focus this season is La Liga, though, and they are currently in a commanding position, sitting top of the table on 53 points, eight points clear of second-placed Real Madrid on the same number of matches (20). Real Madrid are currently in Morocco competing in the Club World Cup, so Barcelona will have the chance to move 11 points clear at the summit on Sunday, and they have won each of their last five in La Liga and their last 10 matches in all competitions during a brilliant run.
Last time out, Xavi’s side were 3-0 winners over Sevilla at Camp Nou, with Jordi Alba, Gavi and Raphinha all finding the back of the net in the second half of the contest. BARCELONA: Barcelona winger Raphinha is finally hitting his best form and helping the Catalans cope without the injured Ousmane Dembele, ahead of the La Liga leaders’ trip to face Villarreal on Sunday. The French forward went off hurt against Girona at the end of January but Raphinha has stepped up to fill the gap despite an erratic start to his career at the club.
Signed from Leeds United for around 55 million euros ($59 million) last summer, the Brazilian was often shunned for the improving Dembele. However, with the former Borussia Dortmund forward out for up to five weeks, Raphinha has ensured the club have not stumbled in his absence. The 26-year-old scored against Real Betis in a 2-1 win on February 1 and then again in the 3-0 win over Sevilla on Sunday, helping Barcelona open an eight point chasm above second place Real Madrid.
Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres have been reduced to lesser roles as Raphinha claimed Dembele’s place and midfielder Gavi is being deployed on the left of the attack. “Although there is outside criticism, we value his work,” said Xavi after the win over Sevilla.
As well as scoring, Raphinha set up a goal for Gavi with a razor-sharp pass and played a significant part in Jordi Alba’s opener. “He’s intense, he attacks space, he gives us a lot in attack and is being decisive,” continued Xavi. “Now it might seem like he’s standing out more, but he’s an extraordinary player.” Raphinha had only been handed eight starts in the league before Barcelona faced Girona and that inconsistency led to mixed performances.
Xavi must decide whether or not to start with Raphinha on the right flank against Villarreal, with the first leg of the Europa League play-off round against Manchester United looming on Thursday. Give the team’s sizeable advantage in the top flight he might keep the Brazilian in reserve and hand Torres the opportunity to play on his favoured right side.
With victory Barcelona can move 11 points clear of the champions, who are not playing at the weekend because of their involvement in the Club World Cup. Quique Setien’s Villarreal have been improving under the former Barcelona coach but fell to a shock 3-1 defeat by bottom of the table Elche last weekend. It was Elche’s first win of the season and a bitter blow for the Yellow Submarine’s hopes of Champions League qualification.
Villarreal are currently sixth, four points behind fourth place Atletico Madrid. “We must be self-critical because this is a defeat that hurts,” said goalkeeper Pepe Reina. “It is a defeat that weighs heavily (on us), but we continue onwards. “We must analyse during the week what needs to be improved, because without a doubt, there are many things.”
The 20-year-old Celta Vigo midfielder hit a brace in his club’s thrilling 4-3 win over Real Betis last weekend and is helping drive the Galicians away from danger. This weekend Veiga’s influence in midfield could be crucial as Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid visit Balaidos. 7 – After losing their first five games, three of those at home, Cadiz have found solidity and are unbeaten in seven league matches at the Nuevo Mirandilla
16 – Barcelona midfielder Pedri has played 16 through-balls this season, more than any other player in the league, but curiously remains without any assists to his name 1503 – Villarreal playmaker Dani Parejo has touched the ball more times than any other player this season
