Barcelona team news: Injury, suspension list vs. Villarreal

Barcelona will be bidding to make it four straight La Liga wins when they welcome Villarreal to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Saturday evening.

The Catalan giants recorded a 4-2 victory over Real Betis in Spain's top flight on Sunday, with the result moving them onto 44 points from 20 matches this season.

Xavi's side are currently third in the La Liga table, seven points behind second-placed Real Madrid and eight from the leaders Girona, who have played a game more.

Barcelona were in Copa del Rey action on Wednesday evening, suffering a 4-2 loss to Athletic Bilbao to exit the competition at the quarter-final stage.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Barcelona's latest injury and suspension news ahead of their clash with Villarreal, who sit down in 14th position in Spain's top flight.

Alejandro Balde

Status: Out Type of injury: Thigh Possible return date: Unknown

Balde is set for a period on the sidelines with the thigh injury that he picked up during the Copa del Rey contest with Athletic on Wednesday night.

Andreas Christensen

Status: Out Type of injury: Calf Possible return date: Unknown

Christensen was back in the squad on Wednesday after recovering from a muscular issue, but he had to be replaced with a calf problem late on in the Copa del Rey, and he is now facing more time out.

Ronald Araujo

Status: Minor doubt Type of injury: Knee Possible return date: January 27 (vs. Villarreal)

Araujo said after the clash with Athletic that he is currently carrying a knee problem, which was causing him issues again on Wednesday, but he is likely to again featured this weekend.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen

Status: Out Type of injury: Back Possible return date: Unknown

Ter Stegen had to withdraw from the Germany squad over the November international break due to a back problem, and he has since undergone an operation which will keep him out until at least March.

Gavi

Status: Out Type of injury: Knee Possible return date: Unknown

Gavi suffered an ACL injury while representing Spain over the November international break, and the midfielder is now set to be missing for the remainder of the campaign.

Marcos Alonso

Status: Out Type of injury: Back Possible return date: Unknown

Alonso is facing more time on the sidelines, having been forced to undergo an operation on a troublesome back problem, and he will not be available until at least the middle of March.

Inigo Martinez

Status: Out Type of injury: Muscle Possible return date: Unknown

Martinez had only just returned from a hamstring issue before suffering a setback against Barbastro in the Copa del Rey earlier this month, and the centre-back remains unavailable for selection here.

Raphinha

Status: Out Type of injury: Thigh Possible return date: Unknown

Raphinha suffered a thigh injury during Barcelona's Spanish Super Cup semi-final with Osasuna, and the Brazil international will not be available for selection until next month.

BARCELONA'S SUSPENSION LIST

Barcelona have no players suspended for this weekend's match.