Villareal vs Barcelona Betting Tips

Barcelona visits Villareal in what looks like another step on the recovery for new Barcelona led by Xavi. Both teams have been in a bad run of form since the start of the new season and it is looking unlikely that either of them will mount a serious title challenge. 

In the last five matches, Barcelona has only won 1 game, drawn 2, and lost two. This was of course when their previous manager Ronald Koeman was still leading them. Xavi’s first game as a Barcelona coach ended in a draw but with a more improved play.

Villarreal on the other hand is struggling both in the champions league and also in la Liga. They are sitting just 12th in the La Liga table having won just one game, lost two and drawn two just like Barcelona, and are four points from Barcelona in 7th place.

Will Xavi get his first win or will Villarreal prove too stubborn for Barcelona we will see at this weekend’s clash.

Villarreal Form and Team News

Villarreal has been struggling as mentioned before in la Liga and this is because they have been plagued with short-term injuries and match fitness since the season started.

For this clash with Barcelona, their striker Gerard Moreno is out with a hamstring injury, Chukwueze hasn’t been fully fit as he has been battling with injuries coming on and off.

However, their last UCL game against Manchester United showed their fitness woes as they were hot in the first half and then went cold in the second half.

Barcelona Form and Team News

Since the start of this season, Barcelona has been faced with various bad news. From their legendary talisman Lionel Messi leaving during the transfer saga down to the financial issues that they faced. 

On the field they looked toothless while being coached by Ronald Koeman although they were affected with numerous injuries like Aguero, Pedro, Wague, Ansu Fati, Dembele, Sergio Roberto, and Matthew Braithwaite are all out with injuries. Aguero is looking forward to retirement due to his heart problem.

Under Xavi, Barcelona looked like a more improved side, coupled with the fact that Dembele is back in the squad and a change of play. 

Odds By Casumo

Casumo bookie does not have any favorite to win this fixture as Barcelona is at 2.63 odds to win, while Villarreal is placed at 2.63 odds to win. If the match is to be a draw, the odds is 3.35.

Check out our La Liga Odds Here

 

Our Tipsters Angle

In the last five meetings between Barcelona and Villarreal, Barcelona has won five of them and drawn just once. However, this goes where during the Lionel Messi era, and with Barca missing him, coupled with their defensive woes, this match could really go either way.

Both teams played in the UCL in the midweek with their full squads because they needed to book their qualifications, and this means that there are no clear favorites in terms of fatigue for this clash.

Below, we have evaluated the team stats and strengths, and here is our prediction for this match:

Tip 1: Barcelona or Draw (X2) 

Over 2 matches played, Barcelona has looked like an improved side under the management of Xavi. However, he still waits for his first win as both games have been a draw. Villareal looked tired during the second half of their UCL match against Manchester United. 

In as much as Villareal lost the game, they controlled the game in the first half but were unlucky due to De Gea’s heroics. However, we think that Barcelona would have enough firepower to go against them and win this match, or at worst, get a draw.  

At the Casumo Sportsbook, Barca to win or draw is available at odds 1.47.

Tip 2: Under 3.5 Goals

Even though the last meetings with this club have all ended with over 2.5 goals, both teams are looking dull in attack and that can be seen in their last 5 individual matches. Villareal all last 5 matches have ended with under 2.5 while 4 of Barca’s last 5 have ended with under 2.5 goals. 

We are rooting for under 3.5 goals in this match because of past performances and fatigue, but whichever way the match would go, we don’t know yet.  At Casumo bookie, under 3.5 goals is available at 1.40 odds.

Conclusion

This match might be the Xavi’s first win or it might not be, but it is clear that Barcelona is improving in their overall team shape and pattern of play. Both teams have had injury problems and got disappointing UCL results after playing their full strength and this just highlights how their season has been going. 

However, we expect Barcelona to either win or draw this match and not more than 3 goals to be scored. 

Check out our La Liga Odds Here