Preview: Villarreal vs Barcelona take centre stage in gameweek packed with exciting fixtures

LALIGA Preview: Villarreal vs Barcelona take centre stage in gameweek packed with exciting fixtures

Faruq Ibrahim Stephen Oladehinde 18:57 - 10.02.2023

Barcelona would get a chance to extend their league lead by as many as 11 points before Real Madrid play later in the gameweek.

LaLiga Liga Gameweek 21 comes around this weekend, and as usual, it is packed with many exciting fixtures.

The previous gameweek's results were critical to the races at the top and bottom of the table, with Barcelona moving eight points clear, as only the Blaugrana picked up the most points among the top six teams.

Also, with only six points separating Girona in 11th place and Getafe in 19th, the relegation battle currently involves about ten teams.

This weekend, La Liga teams will have a new opportunity to advance toward their season goals.

Villarreal vs Barcelona

The league leaders would face a tricky tie away at the Ceramica, and they would look to extend their league lead by as much as 11 points before Real Madrid play much later in the gameweek.

The Blaugrana have been dominant in this fixture, winning 10 of the last 12; however, Villarreal beat them only last season at Camp Nou.

Barcelona could jump 11 points ahead before Real Madrid play later this gameweek
Barcelona could jump 11 points ahead before Real Madrid play later this gameweek

Xavi's men would be wary as Real Madrid were defeated at the Ceramica this season in La Liga and were on the verge of being eliminated from the Copa del Rey but for a late comeback.

Barcelona are the favourites in terms of match form; the Catalan giants have won each of their last ten games, while Villarreal have only one win in their last five.

Barcelona would be without Ousmane Dembele and Sergio Busquets, while the home team would be without left-back Alfonso Pedraza and goalkeeper Nicolas Jackson.

Valencia vs Athletic Club 

This is a tie between two of the most storied sides in LaLiga, however, neither team is in the best of form.

Valencia have lost each of their last four games in all competitions, including a 3-1 cup defeat to the Basque club, while Athletic Club got a win over Cadiz last week after five league games without one.

Cavani would hope to inspire Valencia to their first win after four straight defeats
Cavani would hope to inspire Valencia to their first win after four straight defeats

Five of the previous ten meetings between the two teams ended in draws, with Los Che winning twice and Athletic Club winning three times.

The hosts would be missing suspended Hugo Guillamon and Gabriel Paulista, while Ernesto Valverde would have to prepare his team without Inigo Martinez, with Inaki Williams' inclusion in doubt after missing his first league game in over 200 days last week.

Real Madrid vs Elche

The defending champions would kick off two days after 18 other teams have played, as they are currently in Morocco for the Club World Cup.

Los Blancos lost their last league game away at Mallorca and would face an Elche side that managed to get their first league win of the season after defeating Villarreal 3-1.

Maffeo gave Vinicius a difficult game as they lost to Mallorca
Maffeo gave Vinicius a difficult game as they lost to Mallorca

This tie has been dominated by Ancelotti's team, who have won eight of the last 10 games against Los Franjiverdes.

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Expert betting predictions for La Liga 

  • Cadiz vs Girona: under 3.5 goals @ 1.19 odds 
  • Almeria vs Real Betis: both teams score @1.74 odds 
  • Sevilla vs Mallorca: under 2.5 goals @ 1.46 odds 
  • Valencia vs Ath Bilbao: over 1.5 goals @ 1.34 odds 
  • Getafe vs Rayo Vallecano: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.38 odds 
  • Celta Vigo vs Atl Madrid: both teams score @ 1.94 odds 
  • Valladolid vs Osasuna: under 2.5 goals @ 1.54 odds 
  • Villarreal vs Barcelona: Barcelona win @ 1.85 odds 
  • Espanyol vs Real Sociedad: under 2.5 goals @ 1.54 odds

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