Barcelona vs FC Porto Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats

Barcelona are all set to host FC Porto on the penultimate matchday of the group stage as they look to seal their spot in the knockouts.

Barcelona and FC Porto, the top two teams of Group H are all set to square up against each other on Matchday 5. A win in this fixture could help either of the clubs finish top of the group which could get a favourable tie in the knockout round.

With three wins and a loss in their four outings, the Catalan giants are top of Group H. They have scored eight and conceded just two goals so far. It has been a great campaign for them apart from the loss they suffered last time out.

Barcelona had the opportunity to secure their spot in the next round with a win over Shakhtar Donetsk. But, they ended up suffering a defeat. They will be eager to bounce back and get a positive result here, because if they fail to beat Porto, things could get complicated heading into the final matchday.

Porto are second on the points table with three wins and one defeat. They are level on points as well as goal difference with the Catalan giants. A win in this fixture can give them a realistic chance of finishing at the top of this group, but a defeat could even result in a potential exit.

Their last outing against Barcelona might have ended in a defeat. But, they are heading into this fixture on the back of a 2-0 win over Royal Antwerp in their last Champions League fixture. While Barcelona will be a big challenge for them, they will try their best to cause an upset and take one more step towards the knockout rounds. Meanwhile, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could use.

Team News & Tactics

Barcelona

Xavi will be without the services of Gavi, who picked up a serious knee injury during the international break. Meanwhile, Sergi Roberto is expected to be back in time for this fixture after having suffered problems with his calf.

The Barcelona manager will stick to the 4-3-3 formation, where Inaki Pena could once again be in goal as Marc-Andre ter Stegen struggles with his back. The German international missed out on their last outing and did not train on Sunday with the squad.

Xavi is expected to bring back his regular starts to the XI for this fixture. Pena who will be in goal will have the support of Ronald Araujo and Jules Kounde, who will feature in the heart of the defence.

Joao Cancelo and Alejandro Balde will be the full-backs. The duo will look to join the attack at every possible opportunity. In the centre of the park, Ilkay Gundogan will have the support of Frenkie de Jong and Pedri, who have returned to action after being out injured for a while.

The trio will look to have the majority of the ball and dictate the pace of the ball. They will look to supply the ball out wide to Raphinha and Joao Felix, who will feature on the flanks. Meanwhile, former Robert Lewandowski will lead the line for Barcelona against FC Porto.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pena; Cancelo, Araujo, Kounde, Balde; Gundogan, De Jong, Pedri; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Felix

FC Porto

Sergio Conceicao will be without the services of Samuel Portugal, Ivan Marcano, Gabriel Veron and Ivan Jaime. Meanwhile, the availability of Wendell is a major doubt and even if he makes it back in time, he will most likely start on the bench.

Conceicao is expected to go ahead with the 4-4-2 formation for this fixture. Diogo Costa will take charge in goal. He will have the support of Portuguese international Pepe, who will pair up with David Carmo in the heart of the defence.

Joao Mario and Zaidu Sanusi will feature out wide on the flanks as the full-backs. The duo will look to join the attack when possible. But their priority will be to keep Barcelona’s wingers in check.

Galeno and Gabriel Aquino will provide width to their attack as the duo will start on the wide areas in the centre of the park. They will have the support of Stephen Eustaquio and Alan Varela who will feature in a more central role. The duo will look to ensure Barcelona do not end up dictating the pace of this game.

In attack, Evanilson will have the support of the Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi. The duo will look to cause panic in the camp of the Catalan giants with a goal or two.

Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Costa; Mario, Pepe, Carmo, Sanusi; Galeno, Varela, Eustaquio, Aquino; Evanilson, Taremi

Key Stats

• It is all set to be the seventh meeting between FC Porto and Barcelone in the UEFA Champions League history.
• On Matchday two when the two teams squared up against each other, Barcelona came out on top by the barest of margins as they won 1-0.
• The Catalan giants have won five out of their six outings against the Portuguese outfit.
• Porto’s only Champions League win over Barcelona came way back in 1985/86.

Player to Watch

Robert Lewandowski

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Lewandowski has had a decent start to the new season irrespective of the short injury break. The 35-year-old striker has featured in 15 matches and has contributed towards 12 goals.

While Lewandowski’s numbers are quite decent he has not had the kind of impact he had last season. The former Bayern Munich star has featured in three Champions League games this season and has only scored once. He will be eager to find the back of the net when he takes the field against Porto.

Prediction

Barcelona 2-1 FC Porto

Barcelona might not be in the best of forms, but they are still the favourites heading into this fixture because of the quality present in their squad. The Catalan giants had an opportunity to secure a spot in the next round with a win last time out, but they failed to do so.

Xavi’s team will be eager to get the right result this time out. While Barcelona will be the favourites, FC Porto also have quality players in their ranks and will make life difficult for the Catalan giants. The Hard Tackle predicts a hard-fought 2-1 win for the home team.