Barcelona sit top of the table once again and have been the most impressive side in Spain this season, but Villarreal have also enjoyed an outstanding campaign. The Yellow Submarine are third, eight points behind the leaders, yet they still have two games in hand.
Both teams arrive in remarkable league form, making this encounter one of the standout fixtures before the winter break. Villarreal have won their last six La Liga matches, while Barcelona are on an even longer run, having claimed victory in each of their last seven.
Villarreal’s momentum has stalled slightly outside the league. They suffered back to back defeats in recent weeks, losing 3-2 at home to Copenhagen in the Champions League before being knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Racing Santander. Their most recent league match, scheduled against Levante last weekend, was postponed due to severe weather warnings.
Marcelino’s side have taken 35 points from 15 league matches, recording 11 wins, two draws and two defeats. That return leaves them third, four points behind Real Madrid and eight adrift of Barcelona, though they hold two games in hand on both sides above them.
A key strength for Villarreal has been their defensive solidity. They have conceded just 13 goals in the league, the best record in the division, and that will give them confidence against a Barcelona team that have shown some vulnerability at the back across all competitions. Villarreal have won two of their last three league meetings with the Catalan giants, although they have not beaten Barcelona at home in La Liga since October 2007.
Barcelona head into the match after a 2-0 win away to third tier Guadalajara in the Copa del Rey. Hansi Flick’s side have now won six consecutive matches in all competitions and have been perfect in the league over their last seven outings, seeing off Elche, Celta Vigo, Athletic Bilbao, Alaves, Atletico Madrid, Real Betis and Osasuna.
With 14 wins, one draw and two defeats from 17 league games, Barcelona lead the table on 43 points, four clear of second placed Real Madrid after a recent dip in form from their rivals. While their defence has been questioned at times this season, their attacking output has been exceptional, scoring 49 goals in the league, comfortably the highest total in La Liga.
Barcelona will begin 2026 with a derby clash against Espanyol before travelling to Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup. They face Athletic Club in the semi finals on January 7, with the prospect of a final shortly after.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Villarreal are facing a lengthy injury and availability list ahead of Sunday’s clash. Willy Kambwala, Logan Costa, Pau Cabanes, Ramon Terrats, Thomas Partey, Gerard Moreno and Santiago Mourino are all sidelined with various injuries, while Pape Gueye and Ilias Akhomach are unavailable due to Africa Cup of Nations commitments.
There is some cautious optimism around Dani Parejo, however, as the experienced midfielder is expected to try to shake off a minor issue in time to be included in the starting lineup. With so many absentees, Marcelino is unlikely to spring any surprises in his team selection. Ayoze Perez is set to partner Georges Mikautadze in attack, while Tajon Buchanan should occupy one of the wide positions.
Barcelona also have fitness concerns of their own. Pedri is a major doubt after missing training on Friday because of a calf problem, which could see Eric Garcia and Frenkie de Jong paired together in midfield. Gavi remains out with a knee injury, Ronald Araujo is unavailable for personal reasons and Dani Olmo is sidelined with a shoulder issue.
Hansi Flick also faces key choices in attack. Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski could both be left out of the starting eleven, with Fermin Lopez potentially operating in the number ten role and Ferran Torres expected to be handed a place in the front line.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Villarreal possible starting lineup:
Junior; Navarro, Foyth, Veiga, Cardona; Buchanan, Parejo, Comesana, Moleiro; Perez, Mikautadze
Barcelona possible starting lineup:
J Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martin, Balde; De Jong, E Garcia; Yamal, Fermin, Raphinha; Torres
EXPERT PREDICTION
Villareal 1-2 Barcelona
