La Liga leaders Barcelona face a tricky trip to El Madrigal to face fourth-placed Villarreal on 20 March.
Overview
Villarreal are on a three-match winless run in La Liga but beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 on aggregate to progress to the quarter-finals of the Europa League on 17 March. The Valencian outfit have lost their last seven encounters with Barcelona in all competitions.
Mateo Musacchio, Jonathan dos Santos (both hamstring), Samu (foot) and Jaume Costa (ankle) are all sidelined through injury, while goalkeeper Alphonse Areola (knee) is a doubt.
Barcelona sealed their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a 3-1 win over Arsenal in midweek. Luis Enrique's side are on a 12-game winning run in the league and are unbeaten in 38 matches across all competitions.
The visitors have no fresh injury concerns. Long-term absentees Rafinha (knee) and Sandro Ramirez (hamstring) remain sidelined.
What managers say
Marcelino: "I'm very pleased and proud of the team and the players who have competed against a great rival (Bayer Leverkusen). Congratulations to all the players. We have been far superior [to Bayer] in the two games."
Luis Enrique: "Obviously we have players with a unique profile, who individually can resolve any situation in the play. But in the end, the great thing about this team is that they work collectively in both attack and defence. They also do their defensive work, the first line of pressure, which the team needs. To be European champions, we will have to attack and defend at same high level."
Form guide
- Villarreal (all competitions): DLWLD
- Last result: Bayer Leverkusen 0-0 Villarreal (Europa League)
- Barcelona (all competitions): WWWWW
- Last result: Barcelona 3-1 Arsenal (Champions League)
Team news
Villarreal possible XI: Areola; Gaspar, Bailly, Ruiz, Rukavina; Suarez, Pina, Bruno, Trigueros; Bakambu, Soldado
Barcelona possible XI: Bravo; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Turan; Messi, Suarez, Neymar
