Match Preview: Friday 14/04/2006 20:30 (GMT+2): La Liga match day 33
FC Barcelona - Villareal CF

Camp Nou, Barcelona – capacity: 99.000


Referee: Muñiz Fernández


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdés – Belletti, Puyol, Oleguer, Sylvinho – Van Bommel (Edmilson), Iniesta, Deco, - Giuly , Eto'o, Larsson – Manager: Frank Rijkaard



Villareal (4-4-2): Barbosa - Arruabarrena, Josemi,

Javi Venta, Quque Alvarez - Josico, Senna, Roger (Cazorla), Hector Font (Calleja) - Guayre, José Mari - Manager : Manuel Pellegrini


Barça and Villarreal both have Champions League semi finals next week, but for now, nothing matters more than the game in which they face each other at Camp Nou.


Frank Rijkaard believes both sides also have to think about the Spanish League.

We both have important European commitments, but we are both also focused on La Liga.

said the Dutch coach when asked whether he felt there was a lack of buzz surrounding Friday's game, given what both teams have ahead of them the week after.


FC Barcelona's Manager said he has left Ronaldinho out of the squad because the Brazilian Star has not trained for a few days and is not quite back to his best, so Rijkaard would rather rest him and have him back to full fitness for the next game.

From the other hand,Mexican Rafa Márquez is back, and Frank Rijkaard said:

it is great news that he has been given the medical all-clear. He is an important player in this team.

Villareal's Manager, Manuel Pellegrini, thinking ahead to the Champions League semi final with Arsenal, has decided to leave out several of his usual starters, including the ex-Barcelona players Juan Román Riquelme and Juan Pablo Sorín as well as Alessio Tacchinardi and Diego Forlán.


Villarreal have not lost on the road for 4 matches, and currently lie eighth in La Liga with 49 points, 2 points below a UEFA Cup place, and 9 below the Champions League. But although their league form has fallen below the standard set in the last few seasons, Villarrel comes at Camp Nou with their morale sky high following their continental exploits.




Our Prediction: Barça will win this match. The Catalan team plays at Camp Nou and a victory would be very important before next Wednesday Champions League match at San Siro against AS Milan. Barça 3 - Villareal 1



Here are the odds for the game.


FC Barcelona 1,40

Draw 4,00
Villareal 7,25


To place your bet click here