All eyes will be on Estadio de la Ceramica as two of La Liga's top 3 teams battle for supremacy on Sunday, 21 December 2025.
View our free Villarreal vs Barcelona predictions below.
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Villarreal vs Barcelona predictions: Goals at both ends
Key stats
- Both teams found the net in Villarreal's last four encounters with Barcelona.
- At least five cards were awarded in four of Villarreal's last five matches.
- Barcelona conceded first in five of their last seven games across all competitions.
Correct score prediction: Villarreal 3-2 Barcelona
Villarreal have held their own against Barcelona in recent years, winning two of the last three encounters between these sides. The Yellow Submarine also have a near-perfect home record in La Liga, with seven wins and a draw in eight league matches at Estadio de la Ceramica.
Although Barcelona have been the best team in La Liga this season, it is important to note that they lost three of their last seven away games in all competitions.
On that note, we believe that Villarreal will secure a close victory in a high-scoring encounter.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Villarreal up against it
- HOME: 11/5 (3.20) – 31.3%
- DRAW: 10/3 (4.33) – 23.1%
- AWAY: 10/11 (1.91) – 52.4%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Ahead of this clash, Barcelona lead the La Liga standings with a 14-1-2 win-draw-loss record. Hansi Flick's men have been in sensational form, winning six consecutive games across all competitions.
On the other hand, while Villarreal have struggled in other competitions, they have won six consecutive La Liga games, scoring at least two goals in each victory. Marcelino Garcia Toral's troops are third in the Spanish top flight, eight points behind Barcelona, having played two fewer games.
With that in mind, Barcelona are the expected winners at 10/11 (1.91). Teams with these odds usually have a 52.4% probability of winning.
Don’t forget to check out more of our best betting tips and predictions after you’ve dissected our Villarreal vs Barcelona predictions.
Also, keeping in mind that Barcelona conceded first in five of their last seven matches, Villarreal to score first has an appealing look at 6/5 (2.20). That one has a 45.5% chance of landing.
Most recent H2Hs: Barcelona have bragging rights
Although Barcelona were victorious in four of the last six clashes between these outfits, it is important to note that they lost two of the last three H2Hs.
Spain La Liga 18/05/25
Barcelona
Villarreal
Spain La Liga 22/09/24
Villarreal
Barcelona
Spain La Liga 27/01/24
Barcelona
Villarreal
Spain La Liga 27/08/23
Villarreal
Barcelona
Spain La Liga 12/02/23
Villarreal
Barcelona
Villarreal preview: Long list of absentees
Pape Gueye (AFCON), Ilias Akhomach (AFCON), Thomas Partey (muscle), Willy Kambwala (hamstring), Logan Costa (knee), Pau Cabanes (knee), Ramon Terrats (hamstring), Gerard Moreno (muscle), and Santiago Mourino (muscle), are all set to miss out for Villarreal this gameweek.
Predicted lineup: Junior (GK), Navarro, Foyth, Veiga, Cardona, Buchanan, Parejo, Comesana, Moleiro, Perez & Mikautadze.
Last five matches
- Racing Santander 2-1 Villarreal
- Villarreal 2-3 Copenhagen
- Villarreal 2-0 Getafe
- Antoniano 1-1 (3) AP (5) Villarreal
- Real Sociedad 2-3 Villarreal
Barcelona preview: Eyeing their seventh consecutive victory
Midfield maestro Pedri has become a major doubt for this match after not training on Friday due to a calf strain. Gavi (knee), Ronald Araujo (personal), and Dani Olmo (shoulder) are also confirmed absentees for Barcelona.
Predicted lineup: J. Garcia (GK), Kounde, Cubarsi, Martin, Balde, De Jong, E. Garcia, Yamal, Fermin, Torres & Raphinha.
Last five matches
- Guadalajara 0-2 Barcelona
- Barcelona 2-0 Osasuna
- Barcelona 2-1 Frankfurt
- Real Betis 3-5 Barcelona
- Barcelona 3-1 Atletico Madrid
Player to watch: Ferran Torres
Ferran Torres will look to return to scoring ways after drawing blanks in his last two appearances. The former Valencia player is Barcelona's top scorer in La Liga with 11 goals in 16 league assignments. It will be interesting to see how he performs this weekend.