Villarreal vs Barcelona
LaLiga 2018-19
Venue: Estadio de la Ceramica
Date: Tuesday, April 2, 2019
Kick-off: 20:30pm GMT
Barcelona will look to take another step towards the LaLiga title when they travel to face Villarreal at the Estadio de la Ceramica on Tuesday evening.
Ernesto Valverde's side temporarily increased their lead at the summit to 13 points on Saturday as a brilliant late double from Lionel Messi secured victory over local rivals Espanyol in the Derbi Barceloní.
It was later whittled back down to 10 courtesy of closest challengers Atletico Madrid's thumping 4-0 win at Alaves.
Looking to slow Barcelona's momentum next is a struggling Villarreal side that currently sit 17th - just one place and point above the dreaded drop zone.
The Yellow Submarine, who slumped to a 2-0 loss at the Camp Nou in December, frittered away a two-goal lead against relegation rivals Celta Vigo at the weekend, eventually losing 3-2 thanks to a brilliant display from Iago Aspas.
Barcelona team news
Messi (pelvic injury) and Luis Suarez (ankle sprain) both returned to the starting XI against Espanyol, but a hip issue sustained by Jasper Cillessen on international duty with the Netherlands led to La Masia graduate Inaki Pena providing the back-up for first-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Ousmane Dembele (thigh) and Rafinha (knee) remained sidelined, while Jeison Murillo and Thomas Vermaelen were left out of the matchday squad altogether.
Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen, Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba, Busquets, Rakitic, Arthur, Coutinho, Messi, Suarez
Score prediction: Villarreal 0-3 Barcelona
Barcelona have a big game coming up against Atletico at the weekend before a Champions League quarter-final trip to Old Trafford, but you still would not anticipate them taking their eye off the ball here as they go in search of an eighth successive win across all competitions.
Villarreal are fighting to stay in the division, but the manner of that defeat against Celta Vigo will have left them at a low ebb. A comfortable away victory should beckon, with Messi no doubt enjoying another starring role.
Villarreal vs Barcelona tickets
For ticket information, click here to head to Villarreal's website.
Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Subject to change
Match odds
- Villarreal to win: 9/2
- Draw: 16/5
- Barcelona to win: 6/10
Both teams to score
- Yes: 8/15
- No: 11/8
Click here to find the latest match odds and place a bet.
TV channel and live stream online coverage
The match will be available on free-to-air television in the UK on ITV4, with pre-match coverage from 8:15pm GMT.
Meanwhile, Eleven Sports will continue their coverage via their app.
You can follow all the action with Standard Sport's LIVE blog.
