Preview: Barcelona vs. Villarreal

Barcelona will be looking for their eighth successive win in all competitions when they host Villarreal on Sunday.

Reports during the turn of the year had suggested that the Catalan giants were in turmoil, with coach Luis Enrique and striker Lionel Messi both being tipped for an exit from Camp Nou.

However, they are currently the form team in Spanish football, with Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez all contributing to an attack that has scored 26 goals since the start of 2015.

Barca remain without Jeremy Mathieu and Thomas Vermaelen, but goalkeeper Claudio Bravo will return after missing the Copa del Rey success against Atletico Madrid.

Villarreal go into the match having put together an excellent run of results that has seen them avoid defeat since November 6.

The Yellow Submarine have also kept four clean sheets in a row, and although they are the clear underdogs to earn a result against Barcelona, their team spirit and unity could help them cause a surprise at the weekend as they look to keep in the hunt for fourth place.

New signing Joel Campbell, who has joined on loan from Arsenal, may start on the bench after making his debut in the Copa del Rey victory over Getafe.

Barcelona:

Form in La Liga: DWLWWW Form in all competitions: WWWWWW

Possible starting lineup: Bravo; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Suarez, Neymar, Messi

Villarreal:

Form in La Liga: WWDDWW Form in all competitions: DDWWWW

Possible starting lineup: Sergio Asenjo, Musacchio, Mario Gaspar, Jaume Costa, Victor Ruiz, Bruno, Dos Santos, Moi Gomez, Trigueros, Uche, Vietto

Sports Mole says: 3-1