Villarreal vs Barcelona Prediction & Betting Tips (21 December)

This Villarreal team needs to confirm that they are among the title candidates this season. 3rd with a day behind Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, ​​the Yellow Submarine could come back to 5 points behind Barça in the event of success today, and possibly to 2 points in the event of success during the first day. The stakes are therefore very high for Marcelino's men who have just experienced real disillusionment in the Copa del Rey where they were knocked out by Racing Santander, current leader of the Liga Hypermotion 2-1. A defeat that comes at a rather bad time since Villarreal wanted to move forward after their home defeat against Copenhagen in the Champions League 2-3, which practically earned them elimination from the most prestigious of European competitions. Deprived of La Liga last weekend following the postponement of the planned trip against Levante due to weather conditions, Villarreal will therefore welcome Barça having been victorious in their last six matches in the elite. FC Barcelona was also traveling in the 1/16th final of the Copa del Rey during the week and won against Guadalaraja 0-2.

The decision was made in the last quarter of an hour of play, through Andreas Christensen and Marcus Rashford. Thanks to this victory, the Blaugrana recorded a 6th victory in a row in all competitions, in La Liga against Osasuna last weekend 2-0, Bétis 3-5, Atlético Madrid 3-1 and Alaves with the same score 3-1 and in the Champions League against Frankfurt 2-1. The last defeat dates back to the trip to Chelsea in the Champions League 3-0. In La Liga, the Culers are leaders with 4 points ahead of Real Madrid at the start of this day.

The young talent Ilias Akhomach has joined Walid Regragui and his Moroccan gang to compete in the CAN and he will therefore be absent from this clash in La Liga. Same case for Pape Gueye, summoned with Senegal. The long-term injured Pau Cabanes, Logan Costa and Kambwala will be out, as will the striker Gerard Moreno (4 goals in La Liga this season), the full-back Mourino and Thomas Partey. On the other hand, note the return from injury in the King's Cup of midfielder Parejo. Not selected with the Ivory Coast, Nicolas Pépé will be at Marcelino's disposal today as will the Georgian international Georges Mikautadze (ex-Lyon) or the excellent Alberto Moleiro, best scorer of this team in La Liga with a total of 6 goals (+ 2 assists).

Opposite, Hansi Flick will once again leave Ronald Araujo to rest while Gavi is gradually recovering from his knee surgery. Playmaker Dani Olmo (4 goals, 2 assists in La Liga) is still convalescing and he should not take part in this clash. No problem, however, for one of those snubbed by the FIFA The Best prize, Raphinha, author of a magnificent double against Osasuna. The prodigy Lamine Yamal (6 goals, 7 assists in La Liga) will be operational, as will the English offensive player, Marcus Rashford (7 goals, 8 assists with Barcelona in all competitions). 

• Summary: Villarreal is going head to head with Barcelona starting on 21 Dec 2025 at 15:15 UTC at Estadio de la Ceramica stadium, Villarreal city, Spain. The match is a part of the LaLiga .
• Villarreal Feedinco Rating: 6.94
• Barcelona Feedinco Rating: 7.05