Villarreal vs Barcelona headlines Round 18 of LaLiga as the Yellow Submarine host the Catalan giants at Estadio de la Cerámica. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:45 local time on December 21, 2025, with cool and pleasant conditions expected at around 13°C, ideal for a high-tempo Spanish top-flight clash.
Villarreal arrive with mixed form and a lengthy injury list, while Barcelona travel in outstanding momentum after five consecutive wins across all competitions. With recent head-to-head meetings producing goals and drama, this fixture promises another entertaining night in LaLiga.
Match Overview – Villarreal vs Barcelona
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Fixture | Villarreal vs Barcelona |
| Competition | LaLiga |
| Matchweek | Round 18 |
| Date & Kick-Off | December 21, 2025 – 20:45 |
| Venue | Estadio de la Cerámica |
| City | Villarreal, Spain |
| Capacity | 24,500 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Weather | 13°C – Cool |
Barcelona are expected to dominate possession and press high, while Villarreal will likely look to stay compact and attack quickly through Moleiro and Ayoze Pérez.
Recent Form Guide – Villarreal vs Barcelona
Villarreal – Last 5 Matches
| Match | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Racing de Santander | 1–2 | Loss |
| 2 | FC Copenhagen | 2–3 | Loss |
| 3 | Getafe | 2–0 | Win |
| 4 | Antoniano | 1–1 | Win |
| 5 | Real Sociedad | 3–2 | Win |
Villarreal have shown attacking potential but remain inconsistent defensively, especially against high-quality opposition.
Barcelona – Last 5 Matches
| Match | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guadalajara | 2–0 | Win |
| 2 | Osasuna | 2–0 | Win |
| 3 | Eintracht Frankfurt | 2–1 | Win |
| 4 | Real Betis | 5–3 | Win |
| 5 | Atlético de Madrid | 3–1 | Win |
Barcelona are in excellent rhythm, scoring freely and showing improved balance between attack and control.
Head-to-Head – Villarreal vs Barcelona (Last 5 Meetings)
| Date | Competition | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 18, 2025 | LaLiga | Barcelona vs Villarreal | 2–3 |
| Sep 22, 2024 | LaLiga | Villarreal vs Barcelona | 1–5 |
| Jan 27, 2024 | LaLiga | Barcelona vs Villarreal | 3–5 |
| Aug 27, 2023 | LaLiga | Villarreal vs Barcelona | 3–4 |
| Feb 12, 2023 | LaLiga | Villarreal vs Barcelona | 0–1 |
This fixture consistently produces goals, with Barcelona winning four of the last five meetings despite Villarreal’s surprise away win in May 2025.
Top Scorers
- Villarreal: Alberto Moleiro – 6 goals, 2 assists (15 matches)
- Barcelona: Ferran Torres – 11 goals, 1 assist (16 matches)
Ferran Torres’ movement and finishing make him Barcelona’s biggest threat, while Moleiro remains Villarreal’s creative spark.
Predicted Lineups – Villarreal vs Barcelona
| Position | Villarreal (4-4-2) | Barcelona (4-2-3-1) |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Luiz Junior | Joan Garcia |
| RB | Pau Navarro | Jules Koundé |
| CB | Adrià Altimira | Pau Cubarsí |
| CB | Renato Veiga | Gerard Martín |
| LB | Alfonso Pedraza | Alejandro Balde |
| RM | Tajon Buchanan | Lamine Yamal |
| CM | Santi Comesaña | Eric Garcia |
| CM | Dani Parejo | Pedri |
| LM | Alberto Moleiro | Raphinha |
| ST | Ayoze Pérez | Marcus Rashford |
| ST | Georges Mikautadze | Ferran Torres |
Final lineups will be confirmed approximately one hour before kick-off.
Unavailable Players
| Team | Missing Players | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Villarreal | Pape Gueye, Ilias Akhomach | International duty |
| Juan Foyth, Santiago Mourino, Sergi Cardona, Willy Kambwala, Thomas Partey, Gerard Moreno, Pau Cabanes | Injury | |
| Barcelona | Ronald Araújo, Dani Olmo, Gavi | Injury |
Villarreal’s injury list is extensive and could significantly affect their defensive solidity, while Barcelona’s absences are notable but less disruptive to their current system.
Statistical Projection – Villarreal vs Barcelona
| Metric | Villarreal | Barcelona |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 42% | 58% |
| Shots on Target | 3–5 | 6–8 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 1.0–1.3 | 1.8–2.2 |
| Clean Sheet Probability | 22% | 38% |
| Corners | 4–6 | 6–9 |
| Most Likely Scorer | Alberto Moleiro | Ferran Torres |
Prediction Summary – Villarreal vs Barcelona
Why Barcelona Could Win
- Superior recent form and confidence
- Strong attacking depth with Rashford, Yamal, and Ferran Torres
- Better control in midfield through Pedri
- Villarreal weakened by injuries
Why Villarreal Could Challenge
- Strong home support at Estadio de la Cerámica
- History of goal-heavy games against Barcelona
- Creativity from Moleiro and experience of Parejo
Barcelona’s current momentum and attacking quality give them a clear edge, though Villarreal are capable of scoring, especially at home.
Final Score Prediction : Villarreal 1–3 Barcelona
Likely Scorers:
- Ferran Torres
- Marcus Rashford
- Lamine Yamal
- Alberto Moleiro
Confidence Levels:
- Barcelona Win – 55%
- Draw – 25%
- Villarreal Win – 20%
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Betting Insight
This match has strong potential for goals, based on recent head-to-head trends and Barcelona’s attacking form.
Bet Tips: Barcelona Win + Over 2.5 Goals
Best Value Bet: Correct Score 1–3 Barcelona
Best Player Bet: Ferran Torres to Score Anytime
⚠️ All predictions and insights are for informational purposes only. Betting involves risk—please play responsibly.
FAQs – Villarreal vs Barcelona Match
1.What time is Villarreal vs Barcelona in LaLiga Round 18?
The match kicks off at 20:45 local time on December 21, 2025.
2.Where is Villarreal vs Barcelona being played?
At Estadio de la Cerámica in Villarreal, Spain.
3.Who are the key players to watch?
Alberto Moleiro for Villarreal and Ferran Torres for Barcelona.
4.What is the recent head-to-head record like?
Barcelona have won four of the last five meetings, with most matches producing high scores.
5.What is the predicted score for Villarreal vs Barcelona?
The forecast suggests a 3–1 away win for Barcelona.