Barcelona vs Antwerp Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 UEFA Champions League | Group Stage
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THE FACTS
When is Barcelona vs Antwerp on and what time does it start? Barcelona vs Antwerp will take place on Tuesday 19th September, 2023 – 20:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Barcelona vs Antwerp? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Barcelona vs Antwerp on in the UK? Barcelona vs Antwerp will be televised live on TNT Sports in the UK
Where can I stream Barcelona vs Antwerp in the UK? Barcelona vs Antwerp can be streamed live on the discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
BARCELONA
The bare minimum for Barcelona in the Champions League this season will be to make it out of the group stage - a feat they have surprisingly failed to achieve in their last two attempts. After some tough times in the post-Lionel Messi era though, they finally look like a team capable of competing for the highest honour in world football.
They currently sit second in the La Liga table as they seek to defend the title they won last year, having recorded four straight wins coming into this contest.
ANTWERP
What a fixture this is for Antwerp, whose trip to the Nou Camp marks the club's first ever fixture in the Champions League proper.
Mark van Bommels' side, who won the Belgian Pro League last season for the first time since the 1950s, came through a play-off double header against AEK Athens to reach this stage, and they currently sit fifth in their domestic campaign.
THE TEAM NEWS
BARCELONA
Alejandro Balde has picked up a knock so Marcos Alonso could fill in at left-back, while Pedri is the only other confirmed injury in the Barcelona camp.
There is plenty of competition for places elsewhere, particularly up front where Ferran Torres, Joao Felix, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal will all hope to join Robert Lewandowski in the front three.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; João Cancelo, Koundé, Christensen, Alonso; Gavi, De Jong, Gündoğan; Torres, Lewandowski, João Félix
UNAVAILABLE: Pedri (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Balde (Injured)
ANTWERP
Out injured for Antwerp are Bjorn Engels, Ortwin De Wolf and Kobe Corbanie, while Davino Verhulst and Sam Vines - also injured - have not been included in the Belgian side's Champions League squad.
A defensive approach is expected for the trip to Catalonia, while their chief attacking threat will be former Tottenham striker Vincent Janssen, who has scored six goals in his last six games in all competitions.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Butez; Bataille, Alderweireld, Coulibaly, De Laet; Keita, Vermeeren; Muja, Ekkelenkamp, Balikwisha; Janssen
UNAVAILABLE: Engels (Injured), De Wolf (Injured), Corbanie (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
There is a certain degree of expectation on Barcelona this season with Xavi having assembled a squad capable of going far in the Champions League, but first they must get the job done in the group stage and that begins with what should be a fairly comfortable victory over debutants Antwerp. The hosts will be keen to make a fast start here, so backing them in the double result market could be the way to go.
TIP: DOUBE RESULT – BARCELONA / BARCELONA
