Barcelona vs Villarreal: LaLiga prediction, TV channel, live broadcast, team news, time, h2h, odds

Barcelona begin their LaLiga campaign with a home clash against Villarreal on Sunday.

New head coach Ronald Koeman is ready for his first official game in charge of a Barcelona team heading into a new era.

It seemed to everyone that Koeman would be without Lionel Messi for the season, but in a 180-degree turn, the Argentine agreed to stay for another season.

The Spanish giants face a Villarreal that has already played two league games this season, adding four points.

Date, time and place

Barcelona vs Villarreal is scheduled to kick off at 8pm BST on Sunday, September 27.

This match will be played behind closed doors at Camp Nou without the fans being present due to government guidelines on the coronavirus.

How to watch

television channel: UK viewers will be able to watch the match on Premier Sports, together with LaLigaTV, which has the rights to show Spanish football in the UK and Ireland.

Viewers with a Sky subscription can register to watch LaLigaTV for free until October 15, while those who do not have the same time to register and stream games on Premier Player.

For more information, click here.

Team news

Last year’s runner-up, Barcelona, ​​will not have Marc-Andre ter Stegen until the end of October at the earliest, with Neto as a substitute between the clubs.

Koeman will also have Samuel Umtiti and Martin Braithwaite unavailable due to injury, while Luis Suárez and Nelson Semedo have, of course, just completed their moves to Atlético de Madrid and the Lobos, respectively.

However, the Dutchman will have someone to trust Messi, while Philippe Coutinho, Ansu Fati, Antoinne Griezmann and Frenkie de Jong could be starters.

With De Jong more likely to start alongside Sergio Busquets in midfield, new signing Miralem Pjanic could start on the bench.

Prediction: Barcelona 1-0 Villarreal

Although Barcelona have endured a turbulent summer after a difficult finish last season, it is difficult to look beyond a victory at home.

Indeed, there may still be unrest within the team, with Messi publicly criticizing the club for “throwing” Luis Suárez into the hands of Atlético de Madrid rival.

However, with Messi still in the squad, and Koeman looking for his first Barca win, I narrowly expect a home win.

Head-to-head history and results (h2h)

This will be the 32nd meeting between these two teams and, unsurprisingly, Barcelona will arrive with a superior record.

Barcelona have won 21 times, while Betis have gone away with three wins and seven draws.

The last time the two clubs met was in July earlier this year, when the visitors from Barcelona clinched a 4-1 win.

Betting and tips

• Barça win: 4/7
• Villarreal win: 11/2
• Tie: 7/2

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