Barcelona will look to bounce back from their disappointing La Liga draw when they face French club Brest in a Champions League clash at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Tuesday evening.
Game preview
Barcelona currently sit sixth in the Champions League group stage after picking up nine points from their first four games.
They suffered a surprising 2-1 defeat Monaco in the opening game, but have since secured three wins in a row against Young Boys, Bayern Munich and Red Star Belgrade. Top scorer Robert Lewandowski has been in good form, scoring five goals in the competition so far.
Brest, who made their Champions League debut this season, were the surprise team of the group stage. The French team is fourth in the table with 10 points, just two behind the leaders Liverpool.
They picked up impressive wins against Sturm Graz, Red Bull Salzburg and Sparta Prague and beat Bayer Leverkusen with a 1-1 draw.
Barcelona’s form has been mixed of late. They remain top of La Liga but have drawn two of their last three league games, including a 2-2 draw against Celta Vigo on Saturday. Hansi Flick’s team will be aiming to get back to winning ways in the European Cup.
Brest’s successes in the Champions League contrasted with their domestic problems. They have lost their last three Ligue 1 games, including a 3-2 loss to Monaco, and currently sit 12th in the French top flight, 10 points behind the top three.
Head to head
This will be the first competitive meeting between Barcelona and Brest.
Team news
Barcelona are still without several key players, including Lamine Yamal, Ronald Araujo, Ansu Fati and Marc-Andre ter Stegen. However, Eric Garcia and Ferran Torres could be in the mix after overcoming their respective injuries.
Brest have their own injury concerns with Pierre Lees-Melou, Massadio Haidara, Romain Faivre and Soumaila Coulibaly all doubtful for the trip to Spain. Ludovic Ajorque is expected to lead the visiting team.
Expected starting lineups
Barcelona: (4-2-3-1)
Pena;
Kounde, Cubarsi, I Martinez, Balde;
De Jong, Casado;
Olmo, Pedri, Raphinha;
Lewandowski
Brest: (4-3-3)
Bizot;
Lala, Chardonnet, Le Cardinal, Amavi;
Camara, Lees-Melou, Fernandes;
Balde, Ajorque, Doumbia
forecast
Barcelona will be the big favorites to get all three points against the Champions League debutants. While Brest have exceeded expectations in Europe, this will represent a significant step up in quality for the French team.
Flick’s team will likely have too much firepower and experience for their opponents, and a comfortable home win seems the most likely outcome.
- Result prediction: Barcelona 3-0 Brest
Betting tips
– Barcelona wins
– Over 2.5 goals
– Robert Lewandowski can score at any time