Barcelona have the opportunity to make a real statement in La Liga this weekend by going 11 points clear of Real Madrid, who are busy with the FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco.
The Catalans, who have only dropped two points in La Liga since losing El Clasico in mid-October, will have played a game more than their Madrid rivals. But a double figure cushion will put considerable pressure on Los Blancos when they return to domestic action.
Villarreal have been in top four contention for most of the season but have slipped away a little recently after a couple of disappointing results.
