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Big Game Focus: Barcelona v Borussia Dortmund

 

Barcelona lock horns with German side Borussia Dortmund at the Camp Nou in a Group F clash in the Champions League. This will be a tough game for both sides since whoever wins will qualify for the last 16. Barcelona sit top of the group with eight points, one more than the Germans and four more than Inter Milan. Can Barcelona turn up in front of their crowd or will Dortmund spoil the party? Here’s the Big Game Focus. Bet on this game here. 

Group F leaders Barcelona were held to a frustrating home draw by Slavia Prague last time out but can put that behind them by qualifying for the round of 16 when they host Borussia Dortmund tonight. These two teams played out a 0-0 draw in Germany in their first match of the competition, although Barcelona escaped with a point thanks to Marc-André ter Stegen’s penalty save from Marco Reus. Anything other than a win tonight will be a disaster for the Blaugrana. A draw will set them up for a doomsday scenario in the group stage finale where they visit Inter Milan.

Dortmund have been poor this season domestically and in Europe. Despite this, they still sit three points ahead of Inter Milan. In their last match, they produced a spectacular comeback to win 3-2 from 2-0 down. Camp Nou against Barcelona will be a tough match but they were the best side when they met in September meaning they can still trouble Barcelona on their own patch. Can they get a result?

Betting preview

Barcelona are unbeaten in 34 UEFA Champions League home matches, a run that started in September 2013. They have won four of their last five home matches. They have won seven of their last nine matches at home in the Champions League. Dortmund are winless in their last four away matches. The Germans have also lost four of their last seven away matches in this competition. You can back a Home Win at odds of 1.50.

Four of the hosts’ last five home matches in the Champions League have seen Over 2.5 Goals. Dortmund’s last five matches in all competitions have seen three or more goals scored. Therefore, you can back Over 2.45 Goals in this game at odds of 1.45. 

Lionel Messi has scored 11 times in his last ten games for club and country including a hat-trick against Celta Vigo before the international break. He has scored six goals in Barcelona’s last five home matches. You can back Lionel Messi as Anytime Goalscorer at odds of 1.65.

Team news

Jordi Alba and Nelson Semedo will miss out for Barcelona through injury. Gerard Pique is suspended.

Dortmund are without former Barcelona striker Paco Alcacer, who has gastroenteritis and injured Danish pair Thomas Delaney and Jacob Bruun Larsen.

Possible line-ups

Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Roberto, Lenglet, Umtiti, Firpo, de Jong, Busquets, Messi, Dembele, Suarez, Griezmann

Dortmund: Bürki, Piszczek, Akanji, Hummels, Hakimi, Witsel, Weigl, Sancho, Reus, Hazard, Götze

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