Prediction and odds for the game: Villarreal (10/3) v Barcelona (8/11)

We are backing the draw at odds of 3/1

When: Sunday, 5th July 2020, Kick-off 21:00

Where: Estadio de la Ceramica

On Sunday night, Barcelona faces what could be a pivotal game in their title defence, as the reigning champions visit in-form Villarreal.

Villarreal

While Barcelona are desperate for points in the fight for the title, Villarreal still very much in the battle for the Champions League spots. Javi Calleja’s team are now just three points shy of the top-four positions after an excellent run of recent league form since the restart.

The Yellow Submarine are unbeaten in their six league games since the return to action, having recorded five wins. The break seems to have done them good, as they had suffered three straight league defeats before the suspension of football in March.

It is not a coincidence that Villarreal’s recent improvement in results has come with some rock-solid defensive displays of late. The home team has now kept clean sheets in five of their last six league outings.

Their recent form at the Ceramica has also been a factor in their top-four challenges, as they have recorded wins in four of their last six league matches on home soil, suffering just one defeat in the process.

Barcelona

If the reigning Spanish champions were drinking in a saloon it would certainly be the last chance one. Three draws in their last four La Liga outings has seen Quique Setien’s team fall four points behind perennial arch-rivals Real Madrid in the race for the title. The fact that the Catalan giants are unbeaten in seven league outings is slightly meaningless due to those potentially costly draws.

Despite both their last two league games producing 2-2 draws, including last time out a 2-2 draw with Atletico Madrid, five of Barcelona’s last eight matches in the Spanish top-flight have produced under 2.5 goals.

Barcelona’s recent away record is certainly not one of reigning champions, as the Catalan giants have won just two of their last eight league matches on their travels. Although the visitor’s recent away games have not always been ultra-high-scoring, seven of their last eight matches on their travels have produced over 2.5 goals.

One major positive for the visitors is the fact that they are unbeaten in 23 matches in all competitions against Villarreal.

Conclusion

Villarreal may be one of the last teams that Barcelona will have wished to face this weekend. Calleja’s team are in form and highly motivated. They are also high disciplined in defence. With all these factors in mind, we are backing the draw.

The other bet we are backing is Villarreal striker Gerard Moreno to be an anytime goalscorer. The 28-year-old has scored 15 times this season and is looking to finish the season as the top Spanish goalscorer in La Liga.

Verdict: We are backing the draw at odds of 3/1 and/or Gerard Moreno to be an anytime goalscorer at odds of 15/8. (All odds are taken from Bet365).

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