We have some great fixtures to look forward to in some of the top European leagues this week. There is a full host of games in La Liga and on Tuesday night the defending champions, Barcelona, host Villarreal at the Camp Nou.
It has been far from a good start to the season for Barcelona and their manager, Ernesto Valverde is coming under increased pressure from the media. Fail to win this match and Barcelona could be on the lookout for a new coach.
Villarreal on the other hand will be pleased with their start to the campaign and know if they can come away with a point it would be a great result.
Barcelona played their first game in the Champions League last week and were held to a 0-0 draw at Borussia Dortmund. It was a decent point away from home but worse was to follow as they lost 2-0 at newly promoted Granada on Saturday. That result means Barcelona have played five and won only two matches in La Liga.
Both wins have come at home and they were both by the same score. Barcelona beat Real Betis 5-2 and repeated the feat against Valencia in their second home game of the season. However, Barcelona have also lost two matches, going down at Athletic Club on the opening day of the season and at Granada on the weekend.
Nonetheless, Barcelona have won each of their last nine home La Liga matches and are undefeated in their last fourteen at home. They have scored 2 or more goals in seven of their last eight on home soil.
Villarreal picked up their second win of the season on the weekend as they defeated Real Valladolid 2-0 at home. It was their second win in succession following the good 3-0 win at Leganes the weekend before.
Prior to those two wins, Villarreal had picked up only 2 points from three games. They were held to a thrilling 4-4 draw with Granada on the opening weekend of the season before losing 2-1 at Levante. The second draw came at home against Real Madrid and the match ended 2-2.
Trends show Villarreal have won only four of their last eighteen away La Liga games. They have conceded 2 or more goals in five of their last eight on the road.
Wait...WHAT?! 😱⚽#BarçaVillarreal pic.twitter.com/UXl7A15cFG— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) September 24, 2019
Wait...WHAT?! 😱⚽#BarçaVillarreal pic.twitter.com/UXl7A15cFG
Team news and Barcelona are still without the injured duo of Jordi Alba and Samuel Umtiti in defence. Ousmane Dembele remains a doubt but Lionel Messi is expected to come into the starting XI for the hosts.
Villarreal will be without Alberto Moreno who has a calf injury while Bruno Soriano remains a doubt with a knee injury.
The visitors will be feeling confident following their two wins but Barcelona are a wounded animal. Expect them to come out attacking and score 3 or more goals to win the match.