Barcelona and Porto are set to face off in a extremely anticipated Champions League conflict at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Each groups are presently tied on 9 factors in Group H, with Barcelona main the group on aim distinction. Shakhtar Donetsk shouldn’t be far behind, making this group one to observe.
Preview:
Barcelona missed a possibility to safe their spot within the knockout stage of their earlier match towards Shakhtar.
The Ukrainian facet emerged victorious with a 1-0 win, placing strain on the La Liga champions.
Whereas Barcelona nonetheless holds the highest spot, they can’t afford to be complacent as Porto is respiration down their necks.
A win on this match would assure Barcelona a spot within the last-16 stage of the competitors.
Barcelona’s current type has been lower than stellar, with solely two wins of their final 5 matches throughout all competitions.
Moreover, supervisor Xavi is but to steer the team into the knockout round of the Champions League, including to the strain on the Catalan facet.
Porto, however, has been in spectacular type in Group H, successful three out of 4 matches.
Their 9 factors have secured them second place up to now.
A victory towards Barcelona would ship them by way of to the knockout stage, offered Shakhtar fails to win or draw against Royal Antwerp of their concurrent match.
Though Porto suffered a 1-0 defeat to Barcelona earlier within the group phases, they’ve since recorded victories towards Antwerp and Shakhtar.
The Portuguese giants will enter this match on the again of three consecutive wins in all competitions.
Workforce Information:
Barcelona may be with out their first-choice goalkeeper, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, as he continues to get better from a again problem. Inaki Pena is more likely to deputize in aim.
Teenager Gavi is dominated out for the rest of the marketing campaign because of a knee damage, however Sergi Roberto might make his return from a calf drawback.
Supervisor Xavi is anticipated to make a number of adjustments to the beginning lineup, together with the inclusion of Joao Felix, Ilkay Gundogan, Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde, and Raphinha.
Porto can be lacking Samuel Portugal, Ivan Marcano, Gabriel Veron, and Ivan Jaime because of accidents. Wendell is a doubt with a muscular drawback and is more likely to function on the bench at finest.
Supervisor Sergio Conceicao will make adjustments to the staff that performed towards Montalegre, with David Carmo, Pepe Aquino, Mehdi Taremi, and Diogo Costa set to return.
Evanilson, who has been in superb type with 9 targets this season, will spearhead the assault.
Predicted Lineups:
Barcelona:(4-3-3)
Pena;
Cancelo, Araujo, Kounde, Balde;
Gundogan, De Jong, Pedri;
Raphinha, Lewandowski, Felix
Porto:(4-4-2)
Costa;
Mario, Pepe, Carmo, Sanusi;
Galeno, Varela, Eustaquio, Aquino;
Evanilson, Taremi
Prediction:
Contemplating Barcelona’s current underwhelming performances, it’s tough to again them towards a gifted Porto facet.
A draw wouldn’t be sufficient for Barcelona to safe their place within the subsequent stage, however Porto possesses sufficient high quality to safe a share of the spoils.
- Our prediction: Barcelona 1-1 Porto
