Barcelona will welcome Porto to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Tuesday for a Group H Champions League one-on-one clash that is likely to determine who tops the group and makes out of the group into the knockouts; the clash is scheduled to start at 20:00 GMT.
Key Highlights
Barcelona’s Bid to Get Back to Winning Ways in Group H and Wrap-Up Passage to the Knockouts
Barcelona fell to a shock defeat last time out when they lost 1-0 against Shakhtar Donetsk. The loss brought their three-match winning run to an end and gave Porto an opening to level the points tally in Group H.
They have nine points each in Group H, with Barcelona on top due to head-to-head. Barcelona will need to win the clash against Porto on Tuesday, it is shaping up to be a shoot-out for the top spot in Group H.
In La Liga, Barcelona warmed up for the home match against Porto with a disappointing draw away to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.
Xavi’s men were forced to come from behind after Vallecano took the lead in the 39th minute through an Unai Lopez strike. Barcelona equalized through a Florian Lejeune own goal in the 82nd minute, in a subpar performance from the La Liga defending champions.
Xavi will hope that his side will bounce back to winning ways when they host Porto on Tuesday.
Bet herePorto’s Bid to Seal Qualification to the Knockout stages of the Champions League
Porto have won three times and lost once in the four matches they have played in Group H. They have collected nine points, level with their Tuesday opponents, Barcelona.
They have scored nine goals, one more than Barcelona, and have conceded three times. Their record in Group H shows that they have the resilience and robustness to get results and fight for qualification into the knockout stages.
Porto beat Montalegre 4-0 in the Taca de Portugal fourth round as they warmed up for the trip to Barcelona in fine fashion.
In the Liga Portugal, Porto have been in mixed form. They have won three times and lost twice in their last five outings. In the opening 11 matches, they have won eight times, drawn once, and lost twice.
Porto are sitting third on the table with 25 points, three points behind joint leaders Benfica and Sporting with 28 points.
They will look to bounce back to their consistent form ahead of visiting Barcelona on Tuesday, looking to get a positive result.
Injury Report
Barcelona
Barcelona will be without central midfielder Gavi. The 19-year-old was injured on international duty with Spain on November 20th, 2023. The creative midfielder is projected to be out of action by June 30, 2024.
Sergi Roberto is unlikely to be available for selection; the 31-year-old right back is nursing a muscle injury. He has been out of action since October 18th and is expected back on November 27th. He is unlikely to be fit for the clash against Porto.
Xavi will also be without Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who is facing back problems.
Porto
Porto will be without center-back Ivan Marcano; the 36-year-old recovering from a cruciate ligament tear.
Right winger Gabriel Veron (torn thigh muscle) and left-back Wendell (unknown injury) are also unlikely to be available for the clash with Porto on Tuesday.
Possible Lineups
Barcelona
I. Pena Sotorres; A. Balde, I. Martinez, A. Christiansen. J. Canelo; F. de Jong, O. Romeu; F. Torres, Pedri, L. Yamal; R. Lewandowski
Porto
D. Costa; Z. Sanusi, D. Carmo, Pepe, J. M; S. Estaquio, A. Varela, A. Franco; Pepe, Evanilson, F. Conceicao
Prediction
Barcelona will win the home match and bolster their chances of topping the group.
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