Barcelona vs Villarreal Prediction & Betting Tips - LaLiga

Prediction published on 25/09/2020, 02:49  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 25/09/2020 at 02:56 in LaLiga Predictions

After an extended rest, Barcelona will open their season this Sunday, with a home match against Villarreal in La Liga, as both sides parade new managers in the dugout. Villarreal have so far managed four points from the opening two matches, placing them third in the standings, behind the leading duo – Real Betis and Granada. Ronald Koeman will be the man leading Barcelona after the changes that came with the 8-2 defeat by Bayern Munich and this clash will test his readiness for the job, with a number of players having also exited or on their way out. The team has had three preseason matches and Lionel Messi and Philippe Coutinho, who had been linked with exits, have proven key in the friendly matches, which Barcelona have won all. Now it gets to the serious end and Barcelona will want to carry their dominance over Villarreal to this game, having an unbeaten run of 24 matches against the visitors. Their last five meetings have produced over 2.5 goals in four and both sides have scored in four. Last season, Barcelona lost their final home match in La Liga, against Osasuna. That happened to be their only home loss in 31 La Liga matches at home and they have failed to score in just one of the 31 home league matches; the 0-0 draw with Real Madrid last season.

Villarreal go to this game after a draw and a win in their opening two matches. In their first game of the season, the team needed a Gerrard Moreno penalty in the second half to draw with newly promoted Huesca. In their second, they were once again forced to come from down to beat Eibar 2-1. The team under Unai Emery has been shaky but their fighting spirit remains commendable. It will however be tougher if they’d fall behind against Barcelona, who have won four of the last five league games they have taken the lead in. This will be Villarreal’s first away game of the season; they won nine of their 19 last season and head here with four away wins in five in La Liga. Their final away game last season ended in a 2-1 loss to Real Madrid and facing a team with Messi, Coutinho and Antoine Griezmann, all who are set to start doesn’t look so good for the visitors. Both sides have scored in Villarreal’s two opening matches and both Barca and Villarreal have scored in four of their last five meetings. Their recent meetings have also been high scoring, with 12 of the last 15 producing over 2.5 goals.