Villarreal's Spanish league title credentials will be tested when it plays at defending champion Barcelona this weekend, while Spanish leader Real Madrid is at Sporting Gijon.
Third-place Villarreal's impressive start has it on the heels of the leaders, sitting three points adrift of Madrid and two off Barcelona after 10 games.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
But Saturday's match at the Camp Nou offers the best test of whether or not the "Yellow Submarine" can prevent the title race from coming down to a Barca-Madrid fight for the fourth straight season.
Villarreal has strikers Giuseppe Rossi, Nilmar and Jozy Altidore in goal-scoring form, but it could be without defensive midfielder Marcos Senna through injury.
Barcelona will miss injured defender Gabriel Milito.
Advertisement
{{/htLoading}}{{#usCountry}}