Predicted XIs Villarreal-Barcelona: Marcus Rashford to the bench for La Liga showdown clash | OneFootball

On Sunday, Barcelona are in action for the final time in 2025 as they take on Villarreal in a top-of-the-table clash in La Liga. The Catalans, whose advantage at the summit was cut to one points after Real Madrid’s victory over Sevilla on Saturday, are hoping to make it eight wins in a row in the league, as they seek to end a very productive year on a high.

The big news for Barcelona in the lead-up to the match at La Ceramica has been Pedri’s injury, which means he will not be involved. As per Sport, this will allow Frenkie de Jong to make his first La Liga start in a number of weeks, with the Netherlands international poised to partner Eric Garcia in the centre of midfield.

Andreas Christensen was also a late drop-out due to his own injury issue, which means Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin will continue alongside each other in defence. At the other end of the pitch, it’s believed that Fermin Lopez will return to the line-up, with Marcus Rashford making way for the midfielder.

Diario Sport’s predicted line-ups for Villarreal-Barcelona at La Ceramica. (Image via Diario Sport)

As for Villarreal, they have been ravaged ahead of their final match of 2025. Marcelino Garcia Toral is without the likes of Juan Foyth, Santiago Mourino and Gerard Moreno due to injury, while Pape Gueye and Ilias Akhomach are at the Africa Cup of Nations.

It means that Rafa Marin and Renato Veiga will play together in the centre of defence, with Dani Parejo getting a rare start in midfield. Former Barcelona transfer target Alberto Moleiro will be off the left, with Tani Oluwaseyi partnering Ayoze Perez in a front two.

Barcelona will hope for a repeat of 2024 result at La Ceramica

Barcelona won this fixture 5-1 last season, with goals from Robert Lewandowski (x2), Pablo Torre and Raphinha (x2). Hansi Flick will hope for a similar result this time around, although it will be far from easy, given that Villarreal have won their last six matches in La Liga.