Villarreal vs. Barcelona lineups, expected starting 11, confirmed team news and injuries: Ansu Fati to replace Dani Olmo?

Kyle Bonn

Villarreal vs. Barcelona lineups, expected starting 11, confirmed team news and injuries: Ansu Fati to replace Dani Olmo? image

Hoping to bounce back from a midweek defeat and continue their hot start to league play, Barcelona travel to take on Villarreal in La Liga action on Sunday.

Barca suffered their first setback of the season as they were beaten by Monaco in their first UEFA Champions League match of 2024/25 on Wednesday, having otherwise won every game to begin the campaign. As such, they sit atop the La Liga table as the only club to take the full 15 points from the first five matches.

The injury list remains lengthy for new head coach Hansi Flick, who is still having to navigate a mess of fitness concerns and suspensions over the next few matches.

Villarreal are one of the more in-form teams to begin the Spanish top-flight campaign, sitting fourth with 11 points and no defeats through five games. The margins have been thin, however, as all three victories have come by a single goal, with two draws in there as well.

MORE: All the latest soccer news | Upcoming fixtures | Barcelona news | Real Madrid news

Villarreal vs. Barcelona lineups, predicted starting 11, team news

Villarreal may get Alfonso Pedraza back from a long-term injury, having returned to training, but he'll have to win his left-back place from new signing Sergi Cardona.

Those missing with fitness issues include Gerard Moreno who is out with a hamstring strain, Juan Foyth who is sidelined with a knee issue, and former Manchester United centre-back Willy Kambwala.

Villarreal predicted XI (4-3-3, right to left): Conde (GK) — Kiko, Albiol, Costa, Cardona — Akhomach, Comesana, Parejo, Baena — A. Perez, Barry

Injured: Moreno, Foyth, Kambwala, Pedraza (doubt)
Suspended: None

After Dani Olmo went down with an injury, Hansi Flick moved Pedri up into a more attacking role and slotted Eric Garcia into defensive midfield. Unfortunately, it backfired as Garcia was sent off early in the midweek Champions League defeat, and it's unclear if Flick will stick with Garcia in league play.

Gavi is close to returning from his ACL tear, but will need to be eased back in once ready. Ferran Torres is out with a red card suspension, while Ronald AraujoFrenkie de JongAndreas Christensen, and Fermin Lopez are all out with various injuries.

Barcelona predicted XI (4-4-2, right to left): Ter Stegen (GK) — Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde — Pedri, Casado — Lamine Yamal, Fati, Raphinha — Lewandowski

Injured: Araujo, De Jong, Christensen, Fermin Lopez, Gavi (doubt)
Suspended: Ferran Torres

Villarreal vs. Barcelona live stream, TV channel

Here's how to watch this La Liga match across selected areas of the world's major regions:

RegionTVStreaming
USAESPN DeportesFubo, ESPN+, WatchESPN
CanadaTSN1TSN+
UK —Premier Player, LaLigaTV
AustraliabeIN Sports 1beIN Sports Connect
India —GXR World

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Kyle Bonn

Kyle Bonn Photo

Kyle Bonn, is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.