Barcelona look to cement their status as the winter champions of La Liga when they play a monster game against third-place Villarreal at the Estadio de la Cerámica in their final match of 2025.
The Blaugrana can head into the holiday break with a comfortable lead at the top of the table with a win in this one, and will be facing a Villarreal side that are on fire in the league but arrive at this big game with several key absences and coming off a shocking early exit in the Copa del Rey in midweek.
Here’s how we think Hansi Flick will line up his troops for Sunday’s battle:
Defense
Having rested several of his regular starters in the win over Guadalajara in the Cup on Tuesday, Flick will no doubt go with his strongest available team for a key league game, especially with a 12-day break before their next game against Espanyol to begin the new year.
There’s no doubt about who’s starting at the back since the quartet of Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín and Alejandro Balde has established itself as Flick’s first choice backline over the last month, with Joan Garcia also looking really good since returning in goal.
Midfield
There is one major doubt for this one, however, and it comes in midfield as Pedri missed Friday’s training session with a slight calf issue and might be left out as a precaution to take advantage of the two-week holiday break and make sure he’s fully fit for a very busy and crucial stretch of games in January.
If The Wizard is indeed left out, Frenkie de Jong is the natural replacement alongside the ever-present Eric Garcia in the double pivot. Raphinha will likely start again in the number 10 role, though Fermín López had a strong outing in midweek and could regain his spot in the XI if Flick decides to be slightly more cautious on the road.
Attack
Fermín would likely replace Marcus Rashford in the lineup which would move Raphinha back to his favorite left wing spot, but Rashford scored again in midweek and we think Flick will continue to show his faith in the Englishman. Lamine Yamal will start as usual on the right wing, and we think Ferran Torres will lead the line if Robert Lewandowski is not 100% recovered from the hamstring and back issues that kept him out of the last two games.
Possible XI: Joan; Kounde, Cubarsí, Martín, Balde; Eric, De Jong; Yamal, Raphinha, Rashford; Ferran (4-2-3-1)
How do you think Barcelona should line up against Villarreal? Let us know your thoughts, predictions and teams in the comments below!
