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2024-25 Spanish La Liga
Matchday 37
Barcelona v Villarreal
Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys
Barcelona, Spain
Sunday, 18 May 2025
Kick-off is at 19h00
Barcelona will be hoping to avoid a repeat of last term when they welcome Villarreal to the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in the penultimate round of the
La Liga season on Sunday, May 18.
The Blaugrana suffered a surprise 5-3 defeat to the Yellow Submarine in the corresponding fixture on 27 January 2024 - one of five losses in the league which contributed to them relinquishing the title to Real Madrid.
The last three meetings between the two teams have produced no less than 21 goals, with Hansi Flick's side running out comprehensive 5-1 victors at La Ceramica earlier in the campaign on September 22.
Barca have dominated this fixture in recent times, winning eight of their last 10 encounters, with the Castellon outfit emerging victorious on the other two occasions.
The Catalan giants are on course to reclaim the top-flight crown from Los Blancos after triumphing 4-3 in a thrilling El Clasico derby on May 11 to go seven points clear at the summit.
Flick hailed the mentality of his players as they battled back from two early goals down to make it four derbies wins against Real this season and extend their unbeaten run to 16 games.
"The team's mentality is incredible," the German said. "They have the power to come back from 2-0 down, even after the defeat in Milan... When you arrive at a club you always have objectives, especially at Barca, where you must always win titles.
"The job isn't finished yet. We need to be more consistent defensively, but with matches every three days it's very difficult to train."
Marcelino's side are fighting it out with Real Betis for the final UEFA Champions League berth and a 1-0 success over Girona on May 10 took them three points clear of the Andalusian club in fifth spot.
Etta Eyong received praise from Marcelino after stepping off the bench to score the winner in what was only his second appearance for the first team.
"He has the determination and intuition to be in the right place at the right time," the Spaniard said after watching Eyong strike just four minutes after his introduction for Ayoze Perez.
Head-to-Head (Last Five La Liga Meetings)
Matches - 5
Barcelona - 4
Villarreal - 1
Draws - 0
La Liga Matchday 37 fixtures:
Sunday, May 18
19h00: Atletico Madrid v Real Betis
19h00: Barcelona v Villarreal
19h00: Celta Vigo v Rayo Vallecano
19h00: Valencia v Athletic Bilbao
19h00: Real Mallorca v Getafe
19h00: Real Sociedad v Girona
19h00: Sevilla v Real Madrid
19h00: Real Valladolid v Alaves
19h00: Las Palmas v Leganes
19h00: Osasuna v Espanyol
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