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Big Game Focus: Barcelona v Liverpool

Soccer Football - La Liga Santander - FC Barcelona v Levante - Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - April 27, 2019 Barcelona's Lionel Messi scores their first goal REUTERS/Albert Gea

Liverpool will head to the Nou Camp in search of a win in their first leg of the Champions League semi-final, but can they get an advantage away to the Catalans? Bet on the match here.

Barcelona won La Liga during the weekend after beating Levante by a 1-0 score line and they will be shifting their focus to the Champions League now. They are pushing for a treble over the course of May, with the Copa del Rey and Champions League to fight for.

Liverpool are gunning for the Premier League title along with their ambitions in Europe. They are currently second in the Premier League and they will need to tread this period carefully, lest they lose the title race and the Champions League too.

Betting preview

Lionel Messi has scored 24 goals in 32 Champions League matches against English opposition. His ten-goal haul this term has him on course for the golden boot and he makes an excellent punt for the Anytime Goalscorer at odds of 1.80.

Both sides come into this game with brilliant form behind them but the hosts have a better history against English opposition. They have won 27 matches against English sides, more than any side has won against clubs from a particular nation in the competition’s history. Backing a Home Win looks promising at odds of 1.90.

Two of the last three Champions League fixtures for both sides have seen Over 2.5 Goals scored. With the quality of the sides involved here, you can bet there will be goals and you can back Over 2.5 Goals at odds of 1.65.

Team news

Ernesto Valverde will have to choose between Arturo Vidal and Arthur in midfield whilst Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele in attack. Nélson Semedo could also feature at right-back ahead of Sergi Roberto due to the pace in Liverpool’s front three.

Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and Joe Gomez have both returned from long-term injuries since Liverpool qualified for the semi-finals, but they might not feature. Roberto Firmino missed Friday’s fixture against Huddersfield through injury but he could be ready for selection. In midfield, Naby Keita and Georginio Wijnaldum compete for the final spot in Liverpool’s midfield three.

Possible line ups

Barcelona: ter Stegen, Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba, Rakitic, Busquets, Arthur, Messi, Suarez, Coutinho.

Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Fabinho, Keita, Salah, Firminho, Mane.

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