FC Barcelona and Villarreal: the best attack against the second best defence

Saturday’s match at the Camp Nou between Luis Enrique’s FC Barcelona and Villarreal looks set to be a fascinating battle. The away side are fighting to keep their place in the Europa League as, even though Fran Escribá’s side are in fifth place on 63 points, they have Real Sociedad breathing down their necks. A result against Barça could be crucial.

To do so, Villarreal need to stop the highest scoring team in the league from adding to their tally of 104 goals. Barça have a healthy lead over the second highest scoring side, Real Madrid, who are on 92. Moreover, they are almost 40 goals ahead of third-placed Atlético Madrid on 65 and have double the amount Villarreal have managed.

Defensive solidity

Villarreal have proved to be a tough team to score against all season and this leaves them as the second least scored against side in La Liga so far this season. They have conceded 28 goals in 35 games, which is only three more than first-placed Atlético Madrid have let in.

However, Barça are not far behind in third with an impressive 33 goals against in 35 games. Marc-André ter Stegen is on course to win the Zamora Trophy with a goals-to-games ratio of 0.88 with 29 goals conceded over 33 matches.