Barcelona faces Villarreal this Sunday, December 21, in the 17th round of LaLiga 2025/26. The match takes place at Estádio de la Cerámica, at Villarreal, at Espanha, starting at 12:15 pm at Brasília time. The clash pits the third-placed team against the competition leader, in a duel that promises balance between two offensive teams.
Barcelona arrives as favorites, occupying first place with 43 points won in games played so far. Já o Villarreal have 35 points and are in third place, demonstrating consistency throughout the season. Ambas the teams seek to end the year with victory before the break.
The live broadcast is carried out by ESPN, on closed TV, and streaming Disney+. Fans can follow all the moves in real time on these platforms.
Where to watch the match live
The match between Villarreal and Barcelona is broadcast exclusively on ESPN and on Disney+ for Brasil. The services offer complete coverage, including pre-match and post-match analysis. Essa option allows fans to watch from any connected device.
- ESPN: Canal available on pay TV operators.
- Disney+: Plataforma streaming with access via app or website.
This broadcast duo guarantees broad coverage for the Brazilian public interested in LaLiga.
Lineups confirmed by teams
The official lineups have already been released by the clubs for the clash. Villarreal enters the field in a 4-4-2 formation, prioritizing defensive solidity and quick transitions. Coach Marcelino chooses experienced players in midfield.
On the other hand, Barcelona adopts a 4-2-3-1 formation, with an emphasis on fast attacking from the wings. Hansi Flick has the return of important players, but deals with absences in the defensive sector.
- Villarreal: Luiz Júnior; Pau Navarro, Rafa Marín, Renato Veiga, Sergi Cardona; Tajon Buchanan, Dani Parejo, Santi Comesaña, Alberto Moleiro; Ayoze Pérez, Nicolas Pépé (or Mikautadze in variations).
- Barcelona: Joan García; Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Alejandro Balde; Eric García, Frenkie of Jong; Lamine Yamal, Ferran López (or Pedri), Raphinha; Ferran Torres (with Lewandowski as the main attack option).
These formations reflect the strategies recently adopted by the teams.
Current position in the LaLiga table
Barcelona leads LaLiga with 43 points, maintaining an advantage over the direct pursuers. The Catalan team has the best attack in the competition and a positive sequence of results. The club is looking to widen the gap before the end of the year.
Villarreal occupies third place with 35 points, demonstrating a solid campaign despite fewer games in some rounds. The home team had won six consecutive league matches before this clash.
The table reflects the good moment of both teams in the Spanish championship.
History of recent clashes
The clashes between Villarreal and Barcelona have tended to be balanced in recent years. Barcelona holds a historical advantage, with more wins overall. However, Villarreal achieved positive results in recent matches, including victories away from home.
- Last game: Villarreal won 3-2 in May 2025.
- Goal average: Partidas often exceeds three total goals.
- In Estádio from Cerámica: Resultados they vary, with alternating draws and wins.
This retrospect adds anticipation to this Sunday’s duel.
Absences and squad situations
Villarreal faces important absences due to injuries and call-ups. Jogadores like Logan Costa, Gerard Moreno (unconfirmed), Juan Foyth and others are left out, forcing adjustments in the defensive and offensive sector. Coach Marcelino adapts the team with options from the bench.
Barcelona also deals with significant drawdowns, including recovering Ronald Araújo, Pablo Gavi, Dani Olmo and Pedri. Essas absences affect the depth of the squad, but the main group maintains a high level of performance.
- Villarreal: Lesões in Costa, Cabanes, Partey and Akhomach.
- Barcelona: Araújo, Gavi, Olmo and Pedri out of combat.
These absences influence the tactical choices of both sides.
Referee assigned to the game
Javier Alberola Rojas referees the match at Estádio from Cerámica. The Spanish referee has a moderate average number of cards in LaLiga games. Sua experience includes high-level duels in competition.
Arbitration follows Spanish federation standards, with the use of VAR for crucial decisions. Alberola Rojas records few expulsions per game on average.
This designation guarantees impartial conduct of the confrontation.
Featured Players to Watch
Ayoze Pérez stands out in the Villarreal with recent goals and assists, leading the attack alongside Nicolas Pépé. Dani Parejo controls the midfield with precise passes. No Barcelona,
- Villarreal: Ayoze Pérez (fast striker), Parejo (experienced midfielder).
- Barcelona: Yamal (skilled dribbler), Raphinha (efficient finisher).
These athletes can define the outcome with individual actions.
The duel between Villarreal and Barcelona ends the round with the potential for many goals, given the offensive proposal of the two teams. The leadership of the table remains at stake, and the result directly influences the final classification of the year.
