Match Preview: Sunday 22/04/2007 21:00 (GMT +1): La Liga, Match Day 31
VILLARREAL CF - FC BARCELONA

EL Madrigal, Villarreal – Capacity: 23.000
Referee: Perez Burrull


Villarreal (4-2-3-1): Viera - Josemi, Fuentes (Gonzalo Rodriguez), Cygan, Jose Enrique - Marcos Senna, Josico - Pires, Jose Mari, Marcos - Forlan - Manager: Manolo Pellegrini


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes - Zambrotta, Thuram, Puyol, Gio - Iniesta, Xavi, Deco - Messi, Eto´o, Ronaldinho - Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Match Preview:

Villarreal CF (12th/38 points) will host Spansish Champions FC Barcelona (1st/59 points) at El Madrigal (19:00, local time).


For the Blaugrana it is the perfect opportunity to frustrate their challengers again. Villarreal for sure is not an easy trip and Real Madrid and Sevilla are hoping that Barca will drop points. Real Madrid won against Valencia last night (2-1), which means that the Merengues are only 2 points behind the La Liga leaders Barca and Valencia is out of the title race. Sevilla play atletic Bilbao and could also pile pressure on Barca.
therefore FC Barcelona have to take 3 points from Villarreal before they fly to Egypt to play African Champions Al-Ahly. With 4 (Sevilla) and 5 points (Real Madrid) behind Barca in the La Liga table, it will be difficult to catch FC Barcelona in the last 7 matches, especially with the match Real Madrid vs Sevilla coming up in 2 weeks.


FC Barcelona seems to have found back to form in recent weeks. The Blaugrana will travel to Villarreal on a high, after the superb display on Wednesday against Getafe (5-2) with Leo Messi undoubtful being the hero of the night.


Another boost in the Barca Camp is the news that "El Magico" Ronaldinho has returned to help his teammates to get the necessary 3 points. By the way, Ronaldinho looked sharp in training and it seems that the special training has helped him to get back to full fitness.


Villarreal can not be happy with 12th place and for the team the season is over. May this they could lack motivation against the Spanish Champions but on the other hand they have nothing to lose. Still, they have a good team and in my opinion are able to beat any team on an excellent day. Main thread is Diego Forlan, who is back in the team against Barca.


FC Barcelona has Ronaldinho back, Edmilson, Motta and Belletti are injured and to a certain extend surprisingly left Rafa Marquez out to rest. Marquez is the only defensive midfielder and could also help out as central defender. Therefore the midfield is not a big secret: Iniesta, Xavi and Deco. R.E.M. will start upfront, with Messi on the right, Eto´o in the centre and Ronaldinho on the right.


Villarreal will be without Tomasson and Matias Fernandez, due to injury, while Franco (red card) and Somoza (yellow card) are suspended. So, there is not much choice for Pelligrini and he will probably pick Diego Forlan as the lonely striker and Jose Mari to support him from the midfield. Marcos Senna and Josico will build the defensive midfield pair, while former Arsenal player Robert Pires and young Marcos will play on the wings.


My Prediction:

The difference between Villarreal and FC Barcelona could not be bigger this week. While Villarreal got thrashed 3-0 by Getafe, FC Barcelona thumbed the Mardid outfit 5-2 with a stunning display. Now, with Ronaldinho back in the team (for Gudjohnsen), the team looks even stronger. All eyes will be set on Ronaldinho and Messi for different reasons, Ronaldinho, how sharp he will be tonight and to monitor if he is back to his best and Messi to repeat his outstanding performance midweek.


FC Barcelona have lost five games this season and all were lost away from Camp Nou. But the defeats were down to Sevilla, Valencia, Real Madrid, Zaragoza and in a hard fought Barcelona derby against Espanol. Villarreal is not on the same level and therefore I predict Barca to win!


Villarreal - FC Barcelona 0-1


Visca el Barca!