BARCELONA — La Liga champions Barcelona will receive the 2024–25 league trophy on Sunday evening following their clash with Villarreal at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, as Hansi Flick’s side celebrates a title-winning campaign that saw them outpace Real Madrid in the final stretch.
A comfortable 2-0 win over Espanyol in the Catalan derby on Thursday secured Barcelona’s 27th La Liga crown, courtesy of goals from Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez. Now, their attention turns to ending the home season in style before moving back to a refurbished Camp Nou next year.
Barcelona were moments from clinching the title a day earlier, only for Real Madrid to snatch a late win against Mallorca. Flick’s squad responded maturely with a commanding performance against Espanyol, taking their tally to 85 points, seven clear at the summit with two matches to play.
The domestic league triumph marks Flick’s third trophy of the season, alongside the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup, though the club’s Champions League exit remains a blemish on an otherwise triumphant campaign.
As the Catalan giants prepare for their season finale against Athletic Bilbao next weekend, Sunday’s fixture is set to double as a celebratory farewell to their temporary Olympic home — though Villarreal arrive with every intention of playing spoiler.
Marcelino’s Villarreal head into the clash with much at stake. With 64 points from 36 matches, they sit fifth, five points ahead of Real Betis, and can all but seal Champions League football for next season with a positive result in Catalonia.
The Yellow Submarine are in red-hot form, riding a four-match winning streak after dispatching Espanyol, Osasuna, Girona, and Leganes. Their offensive output has been particularly impressive — 64 goals scored ranks third in La Liga — though their 47 goals conceded is the highest among the top six.
Villarreal’s recent away record adds weight to their ambitions. They boast the second-best away form in Spain this season, collecting 33 points from 18 matches. Notably, their last three La Liga wins against Barcelona have all come on the road, though they suffered a 5-1 defeat in this season’s reverse fixture after winning 5-3 in last year’s matchup.
Barcelona will welcome Inigo Martinez back from suspension, but Ronald Araujo is a doubt after suffering a muscular injury during the Espanyol win. Jules Kounde, Ferran Torres, and Marc Bernal remain sidelined.
Flick is expected to rotate with the title secured, giving starts to Alejandro Balde, Pau Cubarsi, and Fermin Lopez. Up front, Yamal, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski — all enjoying standout seasons — are set to lead the attack as Barcelona close in on the 100-goal mark in league play.
Villarreal will be without Kiko Femenia, Raul Albiol, Thierno Barry, and Ilias Akhomach, but are otherwise in good shape. Ayoze Perez, who struck twice in their last match, has 18 league goals and will spearhead the attack again.
A minor adjustment is expected in defense, with Willy Kambwala potentially replacing Pau Navarro, shifting Juan Foyth to right-back to help contain Barcelona’s wide threats.
Predicted Lineups
Barcelona Possible XI:
Szczesny; E. Garcia, Cubarsi, I. Martinez, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Fermin, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Villarreal Possible XI:
Luiz Junior; Foyth, Kambwala, Costa, Pedraza; Gueye, Parejo; Pepe, Baena, Pino; Perez
Prediction: Barcelona 2-2 Villarreal
With the title already wrapped up, Barcelona may ease off the gas, opening the door for a motivated Villarreal to grab a vital result. The visitors’ attacking potency, combined with Barca’s likely rotation and injury concerns, suggests a 2-2 draw — a result that could benefit both teams for differing reasons.
