Villarreal have made an impressive start to the season, remaining unbeaten in their last five games in La Liga. This strong form should give the Yellow Submarines plenty of confidence as they take on Barcelona at El Madrigal on Sunday on Matchday 6.
The hosts have found goals very easy to come by this season, scoring in five consecutive matches. However, it is at the other end where concerns abound with their defence shipping goals in each of their last seven games.
One of Villarreal’s key patterns this season is their tendency to strike early. A significant percentage of their goals come between the 16th and 30th minutes. This window of opportunity often sets the tone for their matches, and if they can capitalise on it, they may yet take something from this game.
Barcelona, meanwhile, have been flawless in La Liga, bagging five consecutive wins to establish a four-point lead at the top of the table. Historically, they’ve often had the upper hand in this fixture, and they’ll travel with the confidence they can make it six league wins on the trot, especially with their record of being on the scoresheet in each of their last five league games.
The most common scoreline between these two teams has been 1-0 in favour of Barcelona. However, given both teams’ attacking form this season, a similar low-scoring result seems unlikely.
Instead, we can expect a more high-scoring encounter at the Madrigal on Sunday.
Betting Tips: Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals; Lamine Yamal to Score Anytime
22/09 17:30 Villarreal – Barcelona Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.571; Lamine Yamal to Score Anytime @ 3.10 (1xbet)
This fixture offers a wealth of betting opportunities, thanks to the dynamics, head-to-head records, and statistical trends between Villarreal and Barcelona.
Interestingly, both Villarreal and Barcelona tend to score during the 16th to 30th-minute window, setting up the possibility of an action-packed first half.
Given this trend, betting on the first goal to be scored in that window, at 3.40 odds on 1xbet, could offer excellent value.
If you’re open to a bit more risk, betting on Villarreal to score during this period at 5.50 odds or Barcelona to score between the same minutes at 4.15 odds on 1xbet could also be very rewarding.
In terms of first-half performance, Villarreal win 25% of their matches by half-time, while Barcelona do so 40% of the time. This suggests that Barcelona, especially if they exploit Villarreal’s defensive issues, could be ahead at half-time. Although 1xbet currently doesn’t offer a market for a half-time winner, placing a bet on Barcelona to win the first half or the full match at 1.53 odds might be worth considering.
Both Villarreal and Barcelona have scored in all five of their league matches this season, making it extremely likely that goals will come from both sides in this encounter.
As such, our top betting tip is Both Teams to Score and Over 2.5 Goals at 1.571 odds on 1xbet.
Villarreal vs Barcelona - Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.571
Lamine Yamal to Score Anytime @ 3.10
Barcelona’s rising star, Lamine Yamal, has been in outstanding form lately. His outsized influence on Barcelona’s attack makes him a significant threat to a Villarreal defence that has shipped goals in each of their last seven games.
The youngster has been pivotal in creating and finishing chances and has already racked up three goals and four assists in La Liga this season. Whether orchestrating or finishing chances himself, Yamal has been at the heart of Barcelona’s attack.
Having scored three goals in his last two league appearances, he is a solid candidate to score again on Sunday.
For this reason, our second betting tip is Lamine Yamal to score anytime at 3.10 odds on 1xbet.
Villarreal vs Barcelona - Lamine Yamal to Score Anytime @ 3.10New to 1xbet? Sign up today by clicking on the banner below and get a staggering 300% Welcome Bonus up to ₦145,600 on your first deposit.
300% First Deposit Bonus Up to ₦145.600Meanwhile, make sure to check out our comprehensive guide on where to find the best betting offers in Nigeria.
These include early payouts on your match-winner bets, accumulator bets insurance, free bets with no wagering requirements, and the best welcome bonuses from Nigeria’s best betting sites and how to make the most of them for your weekend betting action.