It seems that Barcelona have turned their recent form around, and on Saturday evening, the reigning Spanish champions host Villarreal in La Liga at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Barcelona is in good formXavi Hernandez’s team recorded a 4-2 victory at Real Betis last time out, which was their third straight victory in La Liga. The Catalan giants are also unbeaten in four Spanish top-flight games.
The home team have also been strong in front of goal, scoring at least two goals in four of their last five Liga outings.
Villarreal heads to Catalonia in poor La Liga form, having won just one of their previous seven games in the Spanish top flight. The poor run includes four defeats in their last six Liga outings.
Barcelona is playing catch-up on the top twoThe Catalan team are currently in third place in the table, seven points adrift of second-place arch-rivals Real Madrid and eight behind league leaders Girona.
While Barcelona are looking to get back in the title race, Villarreal is in 14th place in the table, just five points clear of the relegation zone.
This game promises goalsBarcelona’s recent matches in La Liga have certainly not lacked goals, as there have been over 2.5 goals scored in four of their last five games in the Spanish top flight.
Villarreal’s recent outings in La Liga have also been high-scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored in nine of their last 11 matches.
Strong home record vs a poor away runBarcelona has a strong recent home record in the Spanish top-flight, having recorded three wins in their previous four Liga games on home soil.
Villarreal have been woeful on their travels in La Liga, as the Yellow Submarine are winless in their last five away games, having picked up just one draw and suffered four defeats.
What am I backing?I can see this game following the high-scoring theme of both team's recent games, so with that in mind, the bet I am backing is over 2.5 goals.