Villarreal vs FC Barcelona — Match Preview
A blockbuster clash awaits at the Estadio de la Cerámica on Sunday, 21 December 2025. League leaders FC Barcelona travel to face 3rd-placed Villarreal in a match that could define the title race heading into the winter break. Barcelona are flying high with 43 points and a seven-match winning streak in all competitions. In contrast, Villarreal (35 points) are enduring a mini-crisis, having lost back-to-back games against FC Copenhagen (UCL) and Racing Santander (Copa del Rey), compounding a severe injury crisis. With key players missing on both sides due to the Africa Cup of Nations and injuries, this battle will test the depth of two of Spain’s finest squads.+2
Villarreal vs FC Barcelona — Match Info
- Competition: La Liga (Matchday 17)
- Venue: Estadio de la Cerámica, Villarreal (Capacity: 23,000)
- Date: Sunday, 21 December 2025
- Kickoff: 16:15 CET | 15:15 GMT | 20:45 IST
- Referee: TBC (RFEF Appointment)
Villarreal vs FC Barcelona — Match Stakes
Villarreal (3rd — 35 pts):
- Win → Moves to 38 pts; cuts the gap to Barcelona to 5 points (with games in hand) and reignites title hopes.
- Draw → Stabilizes the ship after recent losses; maintains their unbeaten home run in the league.
- Loss → Gap to top widens to 11 points; likely shifts focus to securing Top 4 rather than fighting for the title.
FC Barcelona (1st — 43 pts):
- Win → Moves to 46 pts; enters the winter break with a commanding lead over Real Madrid and Villarreal.
- Draw → A decent result at a tough away ground; keeps the unbeaten momentum alive.
- Loss → Ends the winning streak; offers a lifeline to chasing rivals Real Madrid and Atlético.
Villarreal vs FC Barcelona — Team News
Villarreal:
- Defensive Crisis: Manager Marcelino is down to the bare bones. Juan Foyth and Sergi Cardona suffered fresh muscle injuries in the midweek Copa defeat.+1
- International Duty: Ilias Akhomach (Morocco) and Pape Gueye (Senegal) have departed for AFCON 2025.8
- Injuries: Gerard Moreno (Muscle), Logan Costa (Knee), Santiago Mouriño (Muscle), Willy Kambwala (Injury), and Thomas Partey (Injury) are all ruled out.
- Result: A makeshift backline is expected, with youngsters likely filling the gaps.
FC Barcelona:
- Pedri — Major Doubt (Muscle Overload – Did not train on Friday).
- Dani Olmo — Out (Shoulder Injury – Return expected Jan 2026).
- Gavi — Out (Knee Injury – Long-term).
- Ronald Araújo — Out (Personal Reasons).
- Lamine Yamal — Available (Rested in Copa del Rey, expected to start).
Villarreal vs FC Barcelona — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)
Villarreal
- 17/12 — 1–2 vs Racing Santander (Copa del Rey)
- 10/12 — 2–3 vs FC Copenhagen (UCL)
- 06/12 — 2–0 vs Getafe (La Liga)
- 04/12 — 2–1 vs Antoniano (Copa del Rey)
- 30/11 — 3–2 vs Real Sociedad (La Liga)
FC Barcelona
- 17/12 — 2–0 vs Guadalajara (Copa del Rey)
- 13/12 — 2–0 vs Osasuna (La Liga)
- 10/12 — 2–1 vs Eintracht Frankfurt (UCL)
- 06/12 — 5–3 vs Real Betis (La Liga)
- 03/12 — 3–1 vs Atlético Madrid (La Liga)
Villarreal vs FC Barcelona — Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)
- 18/05/2025 — Barcelona 2–3 Villarreal (La Liga)
- 22/09/2024 — Villarreal 1–5 Barcelona (La Liga)
- 27/01/2024 — Barcelona 3–5 Villarreal (La Liga)
- 27/08/2023 — Villarreal 3–4 Barcelona (La Liga)
- 13/02/2023 — Villarreal 0–1 Barcelona (La Liga)
Villarreal vs FC Barcelona — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)
Villarreal (4-4-2)
Conde; P. Navarro, Albiol, Rafa Marin, Pedraza; Yeremy Pino, Comesaña, Parejo, Baena; Ayoze Perez, Barry
FC Barcelona (4-2-3-1)
Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, I. Martinez, Balde; Casado, De Jong; Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Villarreal vs FC Barcelona — Impact Bench
Villarreal: Nicolas Pepe (Pace on break), Terrats (Midfield energy)
FC Barcelona: Ferran Torres (Goal threat), Eric Garcia (Versatility), Pau Victor (Attacking option)
Villarreal vs FC Barcelona — Tactical Analysis
Villarreal
Marcelino’s usually organized 4-4-2 is compromised by the absence of almost all his first-choice defenders.21 Expect Villarreal to sit deeper than usual to protect the inexperienced Pau Navarro at right-back. Their main threat will come from Alex Baena’s set-piece delivery and Ayoze Pérez exploiting space behind Barça’s high line. They must turn this into a chaotic, high-scoring game to have a chance.
FC Barcelona
Hansi Flick’s side is a pressing machine. Even without Pedri (likely rested), the double pivot of Casadó and De Jong offers control. Barcelona will target Villarreal’s depleted flanks, with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha looking to isolate the full-backs.22 Given Villarreal’s recent defensive fragility (conceding 5 goals in 2 games), Barça will look to kill the game early with high-intensity vertical passing.
Villarreal vs FC Barcelona — Key Battles
- Lamine Yamal vs Pedraza — The wonderkid against an attack-minded full-back.
- Parejo vs Fermin Lopez — Veteran control vs youthful energy in the #10 space.
- Lewandowski vs Albiol — A combined age of 70+ in this heavyweight striker-defender duel.
- Rafa Marin vs Raphinha — The stand-in CB faces Barça’s most in-form runner.
Villarreal vs FC Barcelona — Spotlight Players
Villarreal — Alex Baena
With Gerard Moreno out and the defense in tatters, Baena is the creative heartbeat. He leads La Liga in assists and must produce magic from midfield to keep Villarreal competitive.
FC Barcelona — Robert Lewandowski
The Polish marksman has been lethal this season. Facing a patchwork defense is his dream scenario. His movement in the box should create havoc for Albiol and Marin.
Villarreal vs FC Barcelona — Prediction
Villarreal 2–4 FC Barcelona
History suggests goals in this fixture (27 goals in the last 5 meetings!). Villarreal’s defensive crisis is simply too severe to contain a rampant Barcelona attack.23 While the Yellow Submarine has the firepower to hurt Barça, they lack the stability to stop them. Expect a thrilling, high-scoring away victory.
Villarreal vs FC Barcelona — Betting Insights
- Over 3.5 Goals — Very Likely (Avg 5.4 goals/game in last 5 H2Hs).
- Both Teams to Score — YES.
- Robert Lewandowski to Score — High Probability.
Villarreal vs FC Barcelona — Where to Watch
- Spain: DAZN LaLiga, Movistar+
- UK: Premier Sports 1, LaLigaTV
- USA: ESPN+, ESPN Deportes
- India: GXR World (Streaming)
Villarreal vs FC Barcelona — FAQs
Q: When is the Villarreal vs Barcelona match?
A: The match kicks off on Sunday, 21 December 2025, at 16:15 CET.
Q: Is Pedri playing for Barcelona?
A: He is a major doubt due to muscle overload and did not train on Friday. He is unlikely to start.
Q: Why are so many Villarreal players missing?
A: A combination of injuries (Foyth, Gerard Moreno, Costa) and international call-ups for AFCON 2025 (Akhomach, Gueye).
Q: Who is the favorite?
A: FC Barcelona are strong favorites due to their form and Villarreal’s defensive injury crisis.
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