Two of the most in-form teams in the top-flight are set to lock horns in a match-up that always delivers
LALIGA EA SPORTS Matchday 17 features a highly-anticipated game, as third-placed Villarreal CF are scheduled to host leaders FC Barcelona on Sunday in a match-up that rarely disappoints. The Catalans won at home against CA Osasuna on Saturday, with a late brace by Raphinha unlocking the visitors’ defence to give Hansi Flick’s side a 2-0 victory. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.
Meanwhile, Villarreal CF’s game away at Levante UD was postponed due to a red weather warning in the Valencia region. This means that El Submarino Amarillo are currently eight points behind FC Barcelona, however Marcelino’s side have two games in hand heading into the weekend.
One of LALIGA EA SPORTS’ most entertaining duels
Villarreal CF vs FC Barcelona is a fixture that almost always delivers entertainment. In fact, as many as 26 goals were scored in just their last four league encounters, with the two sides celebrating two victories each.
Last season’s duel at the Estadio de la Cerámica ended in a 5-1 triumph for FC Barcelona, with braces from Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha sandwiching a goal by Pablo Torre. Villarreal CF took their revenge in their second clash of the 2024/25 campaign, as Ayoze Pérez, Santi Comesaña and Tajon Buchanan netted one each in a 3-2 victory away at Barça.
One of the most memorable meetings between the two sides took place on January 27th, 2024, at the Estadi Olímpic. Villarreal CF celebrated a 5-3 victory on the road, with as many as eight different players getting their names on the scoresheet. It was a back-and-forth game, one of many thrilling duels between these sides.
With FC Barcelona and Villarreal CF having combined for 80 goals so far this season, Sunday’s contest at the Spotify Camp Nou has all the makings of another entertaining battle.
Two in-form teams locking horns
Villarreal CF are heading into the duel on the back of six straight league victories. In fact, Marcelino’s team have lost just one of their last 11 matches, with their only defeats so far this term being at the hands of second-placed Real Madrid and fourth-placed Atlético de Madrid. El Submarino Amarillo remain unbeaten at the Estadio de la Cerámica, where they’ve dropped just two points, having won seven of their eight home games so far this season.
However, this time they will be called to contain LALIGA EA SPORTS’ best attack away from home, as FC Barcelona have scored a league-high 21 goals on the road. Flick’s side have responded to a 2-1 loss in ELCLASICOaway at Real Madrid back in October with seven consecutive league victories, including a 5-3 win at Real Betis and a 4-2 triumph at RC Celta.
The head-to-head history between the two teams is in FC Barcelona’s favour, as the Catalans have celebrated six wins in a row at the Estadio de la Cerámica. In fact, Barça haven’t lost a single game away at Villarreal CF since 2007, with Los Blaugranas having grabbed 12 wins in their last 16 visits. But, Marcelino’s side did win that most recent meeting, in Catalonia at the end of last season. It promises to be another fun game as these two excellent teams face off once again this Sunday at 16:15 CET.
