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Pressure on as Barca visit Villarreal

Xinhua, January 7, 2017 Adjust font size:

FC Barcelona face a vital trip to Villarreal on Sunday in a match which may determine whether or not their title challenge for this season can remain alive.

Following Real Madrid' s easy win at home to Granada on Saturday lunchtime, Barca travel to the El Madrigal Stadium six points behind the league leaders, who also have a game in hand after playing in the World Club Championship in December.

Should Barca fail to pick up all three points, that would not quite be a decisive gap to close, but it would be an almost impossible task against a side that has not lost in 39 matches.

Barca showed some of the weaknesses that have been all-too familiar this season as they were beaten 2-1 away to Athletic Club Bilbao in the King' s Cup on Thursday night and although they can point to a couple of poor refereeing decisions, the fact is they were totally outplayed by the Basque side in the first 45 minutes.

Luis Enrique probably won' t make too many changes to the side that lost in San Mames, although Andre Gomes or Rafinha could replace Ivan Rakitic, while Javier Mascherano will return to partner Gerard Pique in central defense.

Villarreal are currently fourth in the Liga and will remember how last season they came back from 2-0 down to take a 2-2 draw at home to Barcelona.

Fran Escriba' s side also got off to a poor start to 2017 as they lost 3-1 away to Real Sociedad in the Cup, but with midfielders such as Bruno Soriano and Manu Trigueros, who possesses a fearsome shot from distance, Barca would be well-advised not to underestimate them otherwise their title hopes will start to disappear over the horizon. Endit