FC Barcelona vs Royal Antwerp Champions League Match Preview, Team News and Prediction
FC Barcelona will face Royal Antwerp in the Champions League, which will take place at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. The Catalan giants will look to get back on course in the competition after a disappointing group-stage exit last season.
Royal Antwerp are playing in the competition for the 20th consecutive season, and it is the first appearance in the group stage for the visitors. Antwerp booked their place in the group via the playoffs, defeating AEK Athens 3-1 on aggregate.
The La Liga champions resumed their league campaign following the international break with a superb 5-0 home win over Real Betis. Furthermore, new signings Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo scored on their first start for the club.
Royal Antwerp marked their return from the international break with a win against Westerlo with a 3-0 away victory. Vincent Janssen was on the scoresheet, taking his tally in the Belgian Pro League to five goals.
Barcelona team news
Pedri will miss this game for the Blaugrana. Moreover, Ronald Araujo has returned to team training, but he is not included in the squad list. German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan came off the bench against Real Betis, and is likely to return in the starting XI.
Royal Antwerp team news
The Belgian side expecting to be without Davino Verhulst, Bjorn Engels, Ortwin De Wolf, Kobe Corbanie and Sam Vines. Furthermore, Vincent Janssen, who’s already scored six goals in 8 appearances this year, will be the biggest threat for the Spanish giants.
FC Barcelona vs Royal Antwerp Predicted line-ups
Barcelona (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Cancelo, Inigo, Christensen, Balde; Romeu, De Jong, Gundogan; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Felix
Royal Antwerp (4-3-3): Butez; Bataille, Van den Bosch, Coulibaly, De Laet; Keita, Ekkelenkamp, Vermeeren; Balikwisha, Janssen, Muja
Prediction
Barcelona 4-0 Royal Antwerp
Royal Antwerp is an exciting side to watch. However, they have to sit back and defend for the majority of the match as Barcelona will dominate a lot in possession. If the Catalan giants take an early lead in the game, then they can easily score four goals past Antwerp.
