La Liga: Barca beat Villarreal in potential dress rehearsal of the Champion’s League final

Barcelona remain favourites for the competition after the victory: they are now 2.37 (11/8) with Sky Bet. However, the extent to which this game tells us anything about how events will unfold is dubious – both sides rested key figures ahead of the Champion’s League games.

More importantly, two Villarreal defenders picked up injuries and so will be missing for the game against Arsenal. Gonzalo Rodriguez and Juan Manuel Pena both picked up muscular injuries in the defeat and neither will recover in time to face the Gunners.

This has had an affect on the betting. Arsenal’s odds have shortened with nearly all of the bookmakers. The best place to bet on Arsenal to win the Champions League is Victor Chandler who have Arsene Wenger’s team at 3.75 (11/4).

Meanwhile, Villarreal’s odds slip to 7.50 (13/2) to win the competition. This may seem generous with only three games to go, but with these injuries and given the form of Barca and Arsenal, it is asking an extraordinary amount of Villarreal to enhance what has already been a magnificent season for them.

Visit bookies.com for all of the latest odds.