Having slipped to seventh in the standings, Villarreal need to try and defeat Barcelona at El Madrigal in order to keep their European hopes alive.

The Catalans, on the other hand, somehow managed to defeat Athletic Bilbao last time out and they need to continue winning if they are to have any chance of defending the league trophy.

Villarreal have serious exceeded pre-season expectations, but having come this far, the Yellow Submarine will give their best to try and clinch European qualification.

The team are not in a very good position at the moment, seeing as how they sit two points behind sixth-placed Real Sociedad following the 2-0 defeat to Malaga.

And with games against Barcelona, Sevilla and Real Sociedad coming up, Marcelino Garcia Toral’s charges will have to raise their form a great deal in order to succeed in their quest.

Villarreal have experienced all sorts of problems in the second part of the season, having won just two of their last nine matches and no wonder they face an uphill task against Barcelona.

But, taking into account team’s 8-6-3 home record this term, you should know the Yellow Submarine are no less than 2.80 (9/5) not to lose on Sunday evening.

Marcelino Garcia Toral has received a huge boost ahead of the Barcelona game with important attacker Giovani Dos Santos and Ikechukwu Uche both resuming full training.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Asenjo – Mario, Pantic, Musacchio, Jaume Costa – Aquino, Pina, Bruno, Cani – Dos Santos, Uche.

This has been without a doubt the most difficult season for the club after quite a while and the news of Tito Vilanova’s passing only added insult to injury.

Barcelona have missed out on two major trophies already, while they trail La Liga leaders Atletico four points with just four games to go.

However, with the two sides squaring off at Camp Nou on the final day of the league campaign, the Catalans will feel they can still turn things around.

Barcelona needed to work hard for the win against in-form Athletic Bilbao, with Tata Martino’s charges coming from a goal behind to record a 2-1 triumph.

They are likely to face a difficult job at El Madrigal as well, but the Catalans remain 1.50 (1/2) favourites to win this game.

Tata Martino will have Sergio Busquets back from suspension, but Victor Valdes, Neymar, Jordi Alba, Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique, Isaac Cuenca and Jonathan Dos Santos are out injured.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Pinto – Alves, Bartra, Mascherano, Adriano – Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta – Pedro, Messi, Fabregas.