Barcelona vs. Villarreal: Issues and Decisions That Will Shape La Liga Game

Barcelona vs. Villarreal can generally be relied upon to provide entertainment.

Whether or not the game is high-scoring, the doggedness and tenacity of the Yellow Submarine up against the more sublime Barca tiki-taka game is a fascinating watch.

Both teams are in great form as we approach this one with Villarreal hanging onto the coat-tails of the top five.

Barca need a win to keep pace with Real Madrid at the top so it promises to be another exciting tussle.

Let's take a look at a few things which may decide the outcome of this one...

History Against the Yellow Submarine

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Villarreal will have to up their game to win this one.

Despite being lauded for the way in which they play the game, and for being the most difficult of opponents, Villarreal, perhaps surprisingly, have a wretched record against Barcelona.

You have to go back to March 2008 to find the last time that the Catalans failed to beat the Yellow Submarine, per Fussball Wettpoint.

Although Barca have lost four times to this opponent in the last decade, the 2008 fixture remains the only loss at Camp Nou in that time frame.

Lionel Messi's Record Run at Camp Nou

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Lionel Messi is on fire at Cam Nou.

When Lionel Messi plays well, invariably Barca play well and the Argentine has found some hunger, desire and form just at the right time.

Despite the disappointment of losing out on the World Cup, Messi has looked like his old self throughout the campaign.

Ominously for the visitors, Messi is on another record run having scored in the last seven games at Camp Nou for the first time in his entire Barca career, according to Barca19Stats' Twitter account.

Will he make it eight in a row?

Villarreal's Excellent Form

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Villareal are enjoying a wonderful run of form.

One of La Liga's hardest teams to break down at times, Villarreal have always been well organised and played as a team rather than a collection of individuals.

They come into this game in their best form of the season and Barca really need to be on their toes.

According to WhoScored.com, the Yellow Submarine are unbeaten in the last 16 games in all competitions stretching back to the beginning of November.

The Continued Influence of Denis Cheryshev

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Denis Cheryshev is playing a big part in proceedings.

Real Madrid loanee Denis Cheryshev has impressed in his wide left role for Villarreal. If he continues his good form at Camp Nou then Dani Alves is in for a busy night defensively.

In the last half a dozen games Cheryshev has only scored once but has assisted three and been man of the match on three occasions, per WhoScored.

Rob Train of ESPN FC noted that Carlo Ancelotti has been so impressed that he is looking to integrate him into the first-team setup next season. A far cry from his Sevilla loan which could've ended in a permanent move to Andalusia. 

Best Defence in La Liga

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Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano have been at the heart of Barca's defensive excellence.

For a change, Barcelona's defence are getting as many plaudits as their attack.

Easily the best defence in the league, Villarreal have their work cut out if they want to spring a surprise in this one.

It hasn't mattered who has been placed within the back four positions of the squad, the entire unit has been excellent throughout the campaign.

It's one of the main reasons why Barca still find themselves alive in all competitions.