Barcelona vs Villarreal match preview, predictions, possible lineups, time and where to watch

The upcoming La Liga match between Barcelona and Villarreal on 27th January 2024 promises to be an exciting encounter. The match will take place at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, kicking off at 6:30 PM WAT (11:00 PM IST).

Barcelona, currently in third place in La Liga, has had a mixed season. They've scored 40 goals but their defense has been a concern, conceding 24. Their recent form in La Liga shows a pattern of L-D-W-W-W. 

Key players for Barcelona include Pedri, who has been impactful despite limited appearances due to injuries, and top scorer Robert Lewandowski. 

However, the team faces a setback with several players like Gavi, Marcos Alonso, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen out due to injuries.

Villarreal, on the other hand, is positioned 14th in the league. They have scored 28 goals but conceded 42, indicating defensive vulnerabilities. 

Their recent La Liga form reads L-W-L-L-D. Gerard Moreno stands out as a crucial player for Villarreal, having scored 9 goals and provided 2 assists in 18 league games.

Historically, Barcelona has dominated this fixture, winning 31 out of the last 49 matches against Villarreal. 

This match-up usually promises goals, with a total of 141 goals scored in their encounters, 94 by Barcelona and 47 by Villarreal.

Barcelona: Sotorres; Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde; De Jong, Gundogan, Pedri; Yamal, Lewandowski, Torres.

Villarreal: Jorgensen; Femenia, Bailly, Cuenca, Moreno; Akhomach, Comesana, Coquelin, Baena; Moreno, Sorloth.

Barcelona, despite not being at their best this season, are favored to win, given Villarreal's form struggles. 

The prediction for the match is a 3-1 victory for Barcelona, with betting tips suggesting over 2.5 goals in the game and Barcelona to score first.

The match will be broadcast on various channels depending on the region: Sports 18 and JioCinema in India, Viaplay and ITV in the UK, ESPN+ in the US, and DSTV and Gotv in Nigeria.

This match is set to be a significant one for both teams, with Barcelona trying to close the gap in the title race and Villarreal fighting to improve their position in the standings​