Catalan giants Barcelona will be hoping to maintain their lead at the top of La Liga table when they host Villarreal in the next match. Barca victory in the El Classico has placed them in a better position in the La Liga title race although Real Madrid have a game in hand over them. All their remaining matches are very important and to keep pace with their rival, they have to make sure there won’t be any mishaps.
Lionel Messi inspired a superb performance in the last match as Barca literally made Espanyol look like a mediocre club on their way to a 3-0 victory away from home. Villarreal will be more tough sides than Espanyol and Luis Enrique cannot take this match lightly. This season, they have often been exposed for their inconsistencies and they have to make sure that there is no way they are going to repeat it in this game or for the rest of the season.
Predicted 4-3-3 Barcelona Lineup Against Villarreal
Defence
Ter Stegen should remain between the sticks. After departure of Claudio Bravo, the German goalkeeper has booked the number one place under his name and has been the preferred choice for Enrique this season. Sergi Roberto has become a household name after the player almost set up Messi with the winner in the El Classico. The makeshift right-back has been in brilliant form recently and is number one choice in the starting eleven.
Since his move from Valencia, Jordi Alba has been an integral part of Barcelona side and he should be in the left back position. The presence of Samuel Umiti will be a big boost for them. Partnering Gerard Pique in the defence has formed an unbreakable partnership at the heart of Barca’s defence.
Midfield
In the midfield, they should start Sergiou Busquests who never gets tired though he has failed to show the same authority over the ball recently, the Spaniard is expected to play in the defensive midfield role. Ivan Rakitic is a sure shot starter in this game. Enrique cannot ignore Andre Gomes after his performance in the last match and he will be alongside Rakitic to take control of the midfield battle.
Attack
Up ahead, it will be Neymar, Lionel Messi, and Neymar Jr. The trio will be only forwards up front.