Barcelona vs. Villarreal Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 18 May 2025 - bettingexpert
Get ready for an exciting La Liga encounter on 18 May 2025, as newly crowned champions Barcelona take on Villarreal at 18:00 at Estadio Olímpico Lluís Companys. With only two rounds left in the season, this match holds significant importance, particularly for Villarreal, who are vying for a Champions League spot, currently sitting fifth with 64 points.
Barcelona, led by Hansi Flick, recently clinched their 28th La Liga title and aim to surpass the 90-point mark. However, with the championship secured and a few key players out due to injury, they might field a less experienced team. Villarreal, under Marcelino, are in great form, having won four of their last five matches. They are highly motivated to win this crucial fixture to boost their European aspirations.
Given these dynamics, our match tip recommends betting on Villarreal to win. Barcelona may not be fully focused after securing the league title, while Villarreal, needing the victory more, are likely to come out with more intensity. Expect a hard-fought and thrilling contest, with Villarreal possibly edging out the hosts.
Barcelona vs Villarreal Prediction & Betting Tip
Given the dynamics leading into this match, the recommended betting tip is:
| Barcelona vs Villarreal Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Villarreal to win | 3.68 |
- Motivation: Villarreal are highly motivated to secure a Champions League spot, sitting in fifth place and eager for three crucial points.
- Focus: Barcelona have already clinched the La Liga title, meaning they might not be fully focused on this match, potentially fielding a less experienced squad.
- Current Form: Villarreal have been in excellent form, with four wins in their last five matches, showcasing their current strength and momentum.
Expect an intense match with Villarreal likely bringing more intensity and determination.
Barcelona vs Villarreal Odds
Let’s dive into the betting odds for this thrilling LaLiga showdown between Barcelona and Villarreal. With the title already secured, Barcelona might not field their strongest lineup for this match, potentially tilting the odds slightly in Villarreal’s favor.
| Barcelona vs Villarreal Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Barcelona | 1.84 |
| Draw | 4.10 |
| Villarreal | 3.68 |
Barcelona, of course, are the bookmaker’s favorite, but with their focus possibly waning after clinching the championship, Villarreal has a decent shot at causing an upset. Coupled with their strong recent form and motivation to secure a Champions League spot, the odds reflect a game that promises to be closely contested.
Expect an exciting match with plenty at stake for Villarreal!
Barcelona Team Analysis
Barcelona Recent Performance
Barcelona’s recent form has been impressive, securing the LaLiga title and enjoying a strong run of results. Their last five matches highlight their robust performance:
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Espanyol | Barcelona | 2025-05-15 | LaLiga | 0-2 (Win) |
| Barcelona | Real Madrid | 2025-05-11 | LaLiga | 4-3 (Win) |
| Inter | Barcelona | 2025-05-06 | Champions League | 3-3 (Loss/ET: 1-0) |
| Real Valladolid | Barcelona | 2025-05-03 | LaLiga | 1-2 (Win) |
| Barcelona | Inter | 2025-04-30 | Champions League | 3-3 (Draw) |
Barcelona has averaged 2.80 goals per game in their last five matches, showing their attacking prowess even though they have kept only one clean sheet during this period. Their offensive strength is evident with key players like Robert Lewandowski continuing to make significant contributions despite dealing with injuries. The team’s dominant form and high-scoring matches underline their quality and relentless pursuit of victories.
Barcelona Key Players
Barcelona’s squad is brimming with talent, spearheaded by their prolific striker Robert Lewandowski, who has netted 25 goals this season. Despite recent injuries, Lewandowski remains a focal point in their attack. Lamine Yamal, praised as a standout player and leader, is expected to be a key figure, especially following his performance in the title-clinching match against Espanyol. Frenkie de Jong’s midfield mastery and Wojciech Szczesny’s dependable goalkeeping will also be crucial. Expect significant contributions from Pedri and Dani Olmo in controlling the midfield.
Expected lineup for Barcelona:
- Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczesny
- Defenders: Hector Fort, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Gerard Martin
- Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Ansu Fati
- Forward: Pau Victor Delgado
Barcelona Suspensions & Injuries
Barcelona has several injury concerns that could impact their squad depth and performance against Villarreal. Here’s a breakdown of their current injuries:
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Marc Bernal | Cruciate ligament injury | Late July 2025 |
| Jules Kounde | Foot injury | Early June 2025 |
| Dani Rodriguez | Shoulder injury | Early August 2025 |
| Ronald Araujo | Physical discomfort | Doubtful |
| Ferran Torres | Appendicitis | Mid June 2025 |
These injuries, particularly to defensive stalwarts like Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo, may force Coach Hansi Flick to rely on less experienced players in crucial defensive roles. With Ferran Torres also sidelined, Barcelona’s options in attack are somewhat limited, though they remain a potent force. The team will need to dig deep into their squad to maintain their high performance levels.
Barcelona Tactics and Formation
Barcelona Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Robert Lewandowski
- Midfield Duo: Frenkie de Jong, Pedri
- Defensive Line: Gerard Martin, Inigo Martinez, Pau Cubarsi, Hector Fort
- Notable Strategy: Emphasis on possession and quick transitions. High pressing to regain the ball swiftly.
Barcelona has already secured the La Liga title, but Coach Hansi Flick is likely to maintain the team’s effective 4-2-3-1 formation. The midfield combination of de Jong and Pedri ensures solid control and distribution, while Lamine Yamal offers creativity on the wing.
Expect Barcelona to maintain their high pressing game and focus on quick transitions through the wings, leveraging the youthful energy and flair of players like Ansu Fati and Lamine Yamal. With Lewandowski up front, their attacking threat remains formidable despite some key injuries in the squad.
Villarreal Team Analysis
Villarreal Recent Performance
Villarreal have shown impressive form recently, with four wins in their last five matches. Their recent results reflect a strong performance, as they aim to secure a Champions League spot.
Villarreal’s last five matches:
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Villarreal | Leganes | 2025-05-14 | LaLiga | 3-0 (Win) |
| Girona | Villarreal | 2025-05-10 | LaLiga | 0-1 (Win) |
| Villarreal | Osasuna | 2025-05-03 | LaLiga | 4-2 (Win) |
| Villarreal | Espanyol | 2025-04-27 | LaLiga | 1-0 (Win) |
| Celta Vigo | Villarreal | 2025-04-23 | LaLiga | 3-0 (Loss) |
Recent Form: WWWWL
Villarreal have averaged 1.8 goals per game in their last five games and maintained three clean sheets. Their defense has been solid, conceding only one goal on average in away matches this season. This recent form shows they are in prime contention for finishing strong in La Liga and eyeing a top-four finish.
Villarreal Key Players
Villarreal have some key players to watch out for in this crucial match. Leading the line is their top scorer Ayoze Perez, who has netted 18 goals this season. His presence upfront will be a significant threat to the Barcelona defence.
Alongside Perez, Nicolas Pepe and Yeremi Pino will provide pace and creativity on the wings, looking to exploit any space left by the Barcelona full-backs. In the midfield, Daniel Parejo and Pape Gueye will be crucial in controlling the tempo and breaking up Barcelona’s attacks.
Expected lineup for Villarreal:
- Goalkeeper: Luiz Junior
- Defenders: Pau Navarro, Juan Foyth, Logan Costa, Alfonso Pedraza
- Midfielders: Daniel Parejo, Pape Gueye, Nicolas Pepe, Alejandro Baena, Yeremi Pino
- Forward: Ayoze Perez
Key individual battles to watch include Perez against Barcelona’s central defenders, and Pepe against Barcelona’s left-back, Gerard Martin.
Villarreal Suspensions & Injuries
Villarreal will face some challenges due to notable injuries heading into this crucial match against Barcelona. Here’s a detailed look at their current injury status:
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Ilias Akhomach | Cruciate ligament injury | Out for season |
| Raul Albiol | Muscle injury | Doubtful |
| Kiko Femenia | Physical discomfort | Doubtful |
| Thierno Barry | Hamstring Injury | Doubtful |
The absence of Ilias Akhomach for the rest of the season is a significant blow, impacting the squad’s depth. Raul Albiol, an experienced defender, is doubtful, which might force Marcelino to reshuffle his defensive line. Similarly, the statuses of Kiko Femenia and Thierno Barry are uncertain, leaving Villarreal thin on options and tactical flexibility.
These absences could affect Villarreal’s stability at the back and might force them to adopt a more cautious approach against Barcelona’s potent attack.
Villarreal Tactics and Formation
Villarreal’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Ayoze Perez
- Midfield Core: Pape Gueye, Daniel Parejo
- Defensive Strength: Three clean sheets in the last five games.
- Notable Strategy: Focus on organized defense to counterattack using wingers Yeremi Pino and Nicolas Pepe.
Villarreal, under Marcelino’s guidance, will likely employ a strategic 4-2-3-1 formation. The key to their approach is a solid defensive base with Juan Foyth and Logan Costa providing stability at the back.
In midfield, Parejo and Gueye will focus on breaking up Barcelona’s play and distributing the ball to their wingers.
The wide men, Pepe and Pino, will be crucial in stretching the field and creating opportunities for Ayoze Perez, who has been in fine scoring form.
Barcelona vs Villarreal Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Villarreal | Barcelona | 2024-09-22 | LaLiga | 1-5 (Loss) |
| Barcelona | Villarreal | 2024-01-27 | LaLiga | 3-5 (Loss) |
| Villarreal | Barcelona | 2023-08-27 | LaLiga | 3-4 (Loss) |
| Villarreal | Barcelona | 2023-02-12 | LaLiga | 0-1 (Win) |
| Barcelona | Villarreal | 2022-10-20 | LaLiga | 3-0 (Win) |
The last five meetings between Barcelona and Villarreal have been action-packed, with more than 2.5 goals scored in all but one encounter. Barcelona has the edge in the head-to-head, winning four out of five matches. However, Villarreal did manage an upset with a 5-3 victory in January 2024.
These matches are typically high-scoring affairs, so expect plenty of goalmouth action.
Odds accurate as of 16/05/2025 18:01, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
