Preview: First meets third in LaLiga as Barcelona face VillarrealShareBarcelona will be hoping to extend their lead at the top of LaLiga this weekend as they host Villarreal.By Matt SmithHansi Flick’s side recently bounced back from a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Girona, beating Levante 3-0 at home. Villarreal have lost just once in their last five, but they’re currently at least three wins behind Real Madrid, who sit in second. When these two sides met back in December, Barcelona secured a 2-0 victory away from home. Renato Veiga was sent off in the first half, giving Villarreal a mountain to climb in that one. Team newsBarcelona could be boosted by the return of Gavi, who is back in first-team training, but having not played since August, it’s unlikely that he’s going to be rushed back. Andreas Christensen remains out, but they should be the only injury concerns for the home side. As for Villarreal, Willy Kambwala, Logan Costa, Pau Cabanes, and Juan Foyth all remain out injured. Gerard Moreno and Pape Gueye could make it, but the duo are doubts for this one. Barcelona flying despite recent slip-upBarcelona recently suffered back-to-back defeats, losing in the Copa del Rey before their loss against Girona in LaLiga. Flick’s side are just one point ahead of Real Madrid in the title race, but it’s still the best season they’ve had in a long, long time.Barcelona are averaging 2.4 points per game under Flick this season, winning 80% of their matches. The title race is looking incredibly tight, but Barcelona can’t be doing much more than they already are, given how strong their win percentage is in comparison to previous seasons. xG to catch up with Villarreal?Villarreal are the ‘best of the rest’ in LaLiga this season. It’s rare that it isn’t Barcelona or Real Madrid battling in the top two, and that’s evident this campaign with Real Madrid being nine points clear of third. Villarreal sit behind Álvaro Arbeloa’s side, but perhaps slightly fortunately. Marcelino’s team have created 38.9 expected goals (xG) this season, but have managed to find the back of the net on 47 occasions. Could their poor xG start catching up with them?Lamine Yamal to bounce backLamine Yamal has failed to score in his last three games, which isn’t usually a disaster for an 18-year-old, but he’s set the standard so high. Before the goalless run, Yamal had scored in five straight games in all competitions, and it’s time for him to bounce back.The Spanish youngster did produce an assist last time out after failing to produce a contribution in his previous two games, where Barcelona suffered two straight defeats. It’s a tough clash with third-placed Villarreal, and it’s time for Yamal to step up again.PredictionVillarreal have won two of the previous five meetings, and both of them have been away from home. However, Barcelona have won every single home game this season, so we’re going for a 2-1 victory to Flick’s side. (Cover image from IMAGO)You can follow every game from LaLiga with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.Preview: First meets third in LaLiga as Barcelona face VillarrealBarcelona will be hoping to extend their lead at the top of LaLiga this weekend as they host Villarreal.By Matt SmithHansi Flick’s side recently bounced back from a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Girona, beating Levante 3-0 at home. Villarreal have lost just once in their last five, but they’re currently at least three wins behind Real Madrid, who sit in second. When these two sides met back in December, Barcelona secured a 2-0 victory away from home. Renato Veiga was sent off in the first half, giving Villarreal a mountain to climb in that one. Team newsBarcelona could be boosted by the return of Gavi, who is back in first-team training, but having not played since August, it’s unlikely that he’s going to be rushed back. Andreas Christensen remains out, but they should be the only injury concerns for the home side. As for Villarreal, Willy Kambwala, Logan Costa, Pau Cabanes, and Juan Foyth all remain out injured. Gerard Moreno and Pape Gueye could make it, but the duo are doubts for this one. Barcelona flying despite recent slip-upBarcelona recently suffered back-to-back defeats, losing in the Copa del Rey before their loss against Girona in LaLiga. Flick’s side are just one point ahead of Real Madrid in the title race, but it’s still the best season they’ve had in a long, long time.Barcelona are averaging 2.4 points per game under Flick this season, winning 80% of their matches. The title race is looking incredibly tight, but Barcelona can’t be doing much more than they already are, given how strong their win percentage is in comparison to previous seasons. xG to catch up with Villarreal?Villarreal are the ‘best of the rest’ in LaLiga this season. It’s rare that it isn’t Barcelona or Real Madrid battling in the top two, and that’s evident this campaign with Real Madrid being nine points clear of third. Villarreal sit behind Álvaro Arbeloa’s side, but perhaps slightly fortunately. Marcelino’s team have created 38.9 expected goals (xG) this season, but have managed to find the back of the net on 47 occasions. Could their poor xG start catching up with them?Lamine Yamal to bounce backLamine Yamal has failed to score in his last three games, which isn’t usually a disaster for an 18-year-old, but he’s set the standard so high. Before the goalless run, Yamal had scored in five straight games in all competitions, and it’s time for him to bounce back.The Spanish youngster did produce an assist last time out after failing to produce a contribution in his previous two games, where Barcelona suffered two straight defeats. It’s a tough clash with third-placed Villarreal, and it’s time for Yamal to step up again.PredictionVillarreal have won two of the previous five meetings, and both of them have been away from home. However, Barcelona have won every single home game this season, so we’re going for a 2-1 victory to Flick’s side. (Cover image from IMAGO)You can follow every game from LaLiga with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.