Barcelona Team News: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs Villarreal

Ben Hayward

Barcelona Team News: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs Villarreal image

Barcelona are just three games away from completing an invincible season in La Liga and one of those is at home to Villarreal on Wednesday night.

Ernesto Valverde's side were crowned champions after a 4-2 win at Deportivo La Coruna late last month and kept their unbeaten run going with a 2-2 draw in the Clasico at home to Real Madrid on Sunday.

That result means Barca have 87 points, 12 more than second-placed Atletico, while Real Madrid are 15 back in third, albeit with a game in hand over their city rivals.

Here, Goal takes a look at everything you need to know ahead of Barca's match against Villarreal at Camp Nou on Wednesday...


Barcelona injuries


Sergi Samper is sidelined with a long-term injury, but Barcelona have an otherwise fully fit squad for the game against Villarreal.


Barcelona suspensions


Sergi Roberto is suspended after he was sent off for lashing out at Marcelo in the Clasico on Sunday.


Barcelona potential starting line-up


Barcelona boss Valverde is expected to pick a strong side for the trip to Villarreal, with Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi set to start in attack.

With Sergi Roberto suspended, Nelson Semedo will start in the right-back role for the Blaugrana.

Elsewhere, Paulinho could start in midfield in place of Ivan Rakitic, who gave absolutely everything in the Clasico.

Andres Iniesta, who was replaced by the Brazilian with just over half an hour left, should start as well, along with Philippe Coutinho (who was taken off at half-time following Sergi Roberto's red card at Camp Nou).

Barcelona Deportivo | 27042018


Villarreal team news


Villarreal are currently in sixth place in La Liga and the Yellow Submarine are guaranteed a spot in the Europa League next season. Two points behind Betis and also with a game in hand, they could yet finish fifth in the table.

Midfielders Bruno Soriano and Ramiro Guerra are sidelined, while defender Antonio Rukavina is suspended.

All of Villarreal's last three games have been at home and all were wins: 2-1 against Leganes, 4-1 versus Celta Vigo and 1-0 over Valencia. The Yellow Submarine drew 2-2 at Sevilla in their last away match.

Enes Unal Villarreal La Liga 03182018


TV channel & kick-off time


Barcelona versus Villarreal kicks off at 8:00pm local time on Wednesday and will be broadcast live in the UK (United Kingdom) on Sky Sports Football (via the red button) and also on Sky Sports Mix from 6:55pm BST.

In the United States, the game can be watched live on television on beIN SPORTS and kicks off at 2:00pm ET.


Best Opta match facts


  • Barcelona are unbeaten in their last 17 La Liga games against Villarreal (won 12, drawn five), with their last defeat against them coming in March 2008 (a 2-1 loss at Camp Nou).

  • Villarreal have only kept one clean sheet in their 17 visits to the Camp Nou in La Liga (won three, drawn four, lost 10), a 0-0 draw in April 2004.

  • Barcelona have not lost any of their last 42 La Liga games (won 33, drawn nine), the longest ever unbeaten run by any team.

  • Luis Suarez is the second player to hit double figures for both goals (24) and assists (10) in La Liga this season, after Lionel Messi (33 and 12).

  • Messi has scored 12 goals in his last 12 La Liga games against Villarreal, finding the net in each of his last four at Camp Nou (seven goals).

  • Carlos Bacca has scored 49 goals in his 104 appearances in La Liga (15 in 33 for Villarreal) and could become the second Colombian player to reach 50+ goals in the competition, after Radamel Falcao (52 goals in total).

Ben Hayward

Ben Hayward Photo