Villarreal Should Hold the Champions Barcelona to a Draw
Villarreal CF vs Barcelona - 27/08/2023
3303
Villarreal will welcome Barcelona to the Estadi de la Ceràmica with the home side aiming to make it two wins in a row during the early stages of the La Liga season just as the champions of Spain look to do the same.
Barcelona were poor in their first game of the season as they attempt to defend and win the La Liga crown for the 28th time.
The club won the league quite comfortably in the end last time out, but they kicked things off with a 0-0 draw away to Getafe.
Raphina was sent off that day in the first half for the club, but he can now return as the suspension lasted just one game due to it being deemed a professional foul and not violent conduct.
Elsewhere in the game, Barcelona had 75% of the ball and five shots on target but ultimately struggled to break down Getafe throughout the 90 minutes.
Xavi's men swiftly returned to the win column in their first home game of the season, as Pedri got off and running for the season with a late finish.
Ferran Torres would make it two deep into injury time, as Barcelona had 24 shots, 10 of which hit the target and a stunning 91% pass accuracy during their 75% ball possession retention.
Robert Lewandowski has taken a bulk of the negativity during this dodgy start for the champions of Spain, as he has now gone four games in La Liga without a goal, despite winning the top scorer award with 23 league goals last season.
As for Villarreal, they were defeated by Real Betis on the opening weekend after a brutal loss saw them concede a goal in the 95th minute at home.
Jorge Cuenca scored for his side that day, as Villarreal largely dominated the game but switched off in the final few moments of the match.
Quique Setién's side did get a win the following game, however, as Gerard Moreno got off an running for the season with a goal in the second half of a 1-0 win away to Mallorca.
Ben Brereton Diaz has not yet put in his usual efforts so far, but he did start last weekend and was booked and later taken off.
He and his forward partners, Moreno and Alexander Sorloth should give Barcelona plenty of troubles.
Forebet predicts a draw here and for the game to see under 2.5 goals.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
Es1
253837
X
1 - 1
2.30
29°
3.50
3.60
3.50
2.00
no
no
no
3 - 4(2 - 2)
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