Barcelona Prepares for La Liga Season Finale Against Villarreal
FC Barcelona is set to conclude its La Liga season. They will play against Villarreal in a rescheduled match. This game was originally postponed due to Barcelona’s U.S. tour. The match takes place on Sunday, May 26, 2024. Kickoff is at 3:00 PM ET from Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
Match Odds and Predictions
Barcelona enters the game as a strong favorite. They currently hold odds of -170 on the money line. Villarreal is listed as a +425 underdog. A draw sits at +340. The over/under for total goals scored is set at 3.5. CBS Sports soccer expert Martin Green predicts a victory for Barcelona. He also expects both teams to score goals. Green’s model suggests a higher scoring affair.
Key Player and Injury Updates
Barcelona faces several significant absences. Midfielder Gavi remains sidelined due to a torn ACL. Pedri is also out with a thigh injury. Frenkie de Jong continues his recovery from an ankle issue. Alejandro Balde and Ronald Araujo are unavailable. These injuries impact Barcelona’s lineup depth. Forward Raphinha is suspended for the match. He received a red card in the previous game. João Cancelo, Inigo Martínez, and Robert Lewandowski are expected to feature. Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will likely start.
Villarreal also deals with injuries. Key players Eric Bailly, Juan Foyth, and Yeremy Pino are out. These absences weaken Villarreal’s defensive and attacking options. However, Alexander Sorloth is in strong form. He recently scored four goals in one game. Sorloth leads the La Liga scoring charts. He will be a significant threat for Villarreal.
Coaching Changes and Future Outlook
This match marks a significant transition for Barcelona. It is the final game under outgoing coach Xavi Hernandez. Xavi will depart after a challenging season. He led the team to a second-place finish in La Liga. However, they did not secure any trophies. His tenure saw Barcelona win a La Liga title and a Spanish Super Cup.
Meanwhile, the club has announced a new coach. Hansi Flick will take over for the next two seasons. Flick previously managed Bayern Munich and the German national team. His arrival signals a new era for Barcelona. Fans hope Flick can bring renewed success to the club. His first task will be to rebuild the squad. He also needs to adapt to Spanish football.
How to Watch the Match
U.S. soccer fans can stream the Barcelona versus Villarreal match. The game will be available on ESPN+. A subscription to ESPN+ is required to watch the live action. The platform offers extensive coverage of La Liga games. This provides easy access for viewers across the United States. Ensure your subscription is active before kickoff. This allows for seamless viewing of the season finale.
