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Villarreal will invite Barcelona to El Madrigal in LaLiga on Sunday. Both teams have enjoyed an unbeaten start to their league campaign, with three wins in five games for the hosts and Barca having a 100% record.
The Yellow Submarine resumed their league campaign after the international break with a 2-1 away win over Mallorca last week. Logan Costa scored in the first half and Ayoze Pérez bagged a stoppage-time winner after Raúl Albiol's own goal helped Mallorca equalize in the 57th minute.
The visitors made it five wins on the spin last week with a comfortable 4-1 away triumph over Girona. Lamine Yamal bagged a first-half brace while Dani Olmo and Pedri scored in the second half. Ferran Torres was sent off late in the game and will serve a suspension here.
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Their winning streak ended in their UEFA Champions League opener against Monaco on Thursday, as they suffered a 2-1 away loss. Eric García was sent off in the 10th minute, so they spent the majority of the game with a numerical disadvantage. Yamal equalized in the first half but 18-year-old substitute George Ilenikhena restored Monaco's lead in the second half.
Villarreal vs Barcelona Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have squared off 54 times in all competitions. As expected, the visitors have been the dominant side in these meetings with 33 wins. The Yellow Submarine have got the better of the league leaders 11 times and 10 games have ended in draws.
- Last season, both teams registered away wins in their league meetings, with the two games producing 15 goals.
- Villarreal are unbeaten in their last nine league outings, with four games ending in draws.
- Barcelona, meanwhile, are on a nine-game winning streak in LaLiga, scoring 26 goals.
- The last 10 meetings between the two teams have produced conclusive results, with eight wins for the visitors.
Villarreal vs Barcelona Prediction
El Submarino Amarillo have enjoyed an unbeaten start to their league campaign, extending their unbeaten streak in LaLiga to nine games. They are unbeaten in their last five home games in the competition, scoring 16 goals, and will look to continue their prolific run here.
Marcelino remains without the services of Gerard Moreno, Juan Foyth, and Willy Kambwala due to injuries. Alfonso Pedraza is a doubt but Pape Gueye is available after serving a suspension.
Blaugrana suffered their first loss of the campaign on Thursday and will look to return to winning ways here. They are unbeaten in away meetings against the hosts since 2007 and are strong favorites. They have scored at least two goals in their last 12 league outings.
Hansi Flick has a few absentees for the trip to Valencia as Dani Olmo, Fermin Lopez, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, and Andreas Christensen are nursing injuries. Marc Casado picked up a knock against Monaco but has resumed training and should start here.
While Barca have dominated proceedings against Villarreal in recent games, considering the current form of the two teams and absentees for the league leaders, a draw is likely to ensue.
Prediction: Villarreal 2-2 Barcelona
Villarreal vs Barcelona Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Draw
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Lamine Yamal to score or assist any time - Yes
