La Liga: Yellow Submarine Have That Sinking Feeling

Barcelona vs Villarreal

There’s no surprise amongst SBOBET fans, nor regular followers of La Liga, that reigning champions Barcelona have largely set the pace again this season.

They remain the team to beat, even if they have slipped off the top of the table (for now at least).

Their draw at Atletico Madrid last week once again showed their character and Ernesto Valverde’s men remain favourites with more than just La Liga 2018 betting odds to retain the title they cruised to last term.

Talking Points

Villarreal, on the other hand, are causing quite a surprise – for all the wrong reasons.

They sit 16^th, just outside the relegation zone, and are struggling to make their mark domestically with only three victories this season.

For a side which finished fifth last term and qualified for the Europa League, this was not expected.

Indeed, they may top their group in European combat but still must win their final game in a fortnight’s time to guarantee qualification to the knockout stages.

Could they take heart though from another side at the wrong end of the table?

Just before the international break, Real Betis travelled to the Nou Camp and caused one of the Liga 2018 news stories of this or any other season.

Their shock 4-3 victory could give the ‘Yellow Submarine’ hope and they may take heart from the fact that frontman Luis Suarez is doubtful with an injury to his right knee, hot on the heels of the big blow of losing Rafinha who ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament last weekend and looks set to miss the rest of the season.

They are also likely to be without the services of midfielder Arthur Melo, as well as Samuel Umtiti and Sergi Roberto this weekend, although that is tempered by the fact Valverde has a good squad at his disposal.

These sides still seem poles apart.

History

Lionel Messi is spearheading Barcelona in winning over Villarreal in upcoming La Liga match — Lionel Messi celebrates with Sergio Busquets during Barcelona’s La Liga battle with Atletico Madrid

When the sides met last season in the Nou Camp it was a rout.

Barcelona had already been crowned champions but they didn’t take their foot off the pedal against Europa League chasing Villarreal, winning 5-1, thanks to goals from Philippe Coutinho, Paulinho, Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembele (two).

The match earlier in the season had been a lot closer with Messi and Suarez on target in a 2-0 win but only after the hosts had been reduced to 10 men in El Madrigal.

Barcelona have won this fixture comfortably every season since 2009/10 when the then reigning Spanish and European champions were held to a 1-1 draw – David Fuster’s goal cancelling out Pedro’s opener.

You have to go back to March 2008 to the last time Villarreal beat Barcelona – the third of three successive triumphs over the Catalans as it turned out.

On that occasion, they emerged 2-1 winners at the Nou Camp with a penalty from fans’ favourite Marcos Senna and a late winner from ex-Newcastle man Jon Dahl Tomasson.

Xavi had briefly hauled Barcelona, then managed by Frank Rijkaard, level.

The manager of Villarreal at the time was Manuel Pellegrini, long before his successful time in English football with Manchester City (now at West Ham).

Pellegrini mastermind all three victories over the Catalan giants and a key player in two of those successes was midfielder Santi Cazorla.

Of course, he is now back at the club after suffering injury hell in recent years, regarded as a medical miracle after overcoming 10 operations to recently return to the game.

Betting Tip

	Barcelona vs Villarreal	Asian Handicap Barcelona -2.00 @ 2.01
	December 3, 01:30 (GMT+8)

Barca have scored 10 more goals than any other side in La Liga so far and that is reflected in the odds offered for total goal 4-6 @ just 2.11 and the total goal 0-1 @ 7.40.

Even over 3.75 goals will only pay out with odds @ 2.08.

The double chance Villarreal or draw is a tasty @ 4.00 which is certainly worth a punt if you are feeling daring.

Ardent fans of the visitors will look at Asian Handicap Villarreal +1.75 @ 2.14 or the 1X2 draw @ 5.80 knowing Barcelona have not yet convinced fully.

The other 1X2 odds, not surprisingly, show Barca @ 1.24 and Villarreal @ 12.00.

Barcelona were slightly fortunate to win at PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League in midweek, a victory which confirmed their place in the last 16 as group winners.

Yet they will have had 24 hours extra to recover from their trip to Holland than Villarreal have from Europa League action and that should also count in their favour.