Barcelona will play hosts to Liverpool at the Nou Camp in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final tie on Wednesday night. Both teams are currently going through a good run of form which will only add more drama to this contest.
The Merseyside giants have won three, drawn three and lost two of their past eight meetings with the Catalans.
Talking Tactics
Ernesto Valverde is expected to opt for a 4-3-3 formation, and he might decide to start with Ousmane Dembélé in place of Phillipe Coutinho in the opposition half. The battle between Barca’s Lionel Messi versus Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson and Virgil Van Dijk could be the deciding factor in this first-leg.
Jurgen Klopp will also lineup his team in a 4-3-3 set-up and will be sweating on the fitness of Roberto Firmino ahead of this Champions League encounter. Both Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane need to be at their best while up against Jordi Alba and Nelson Semedo respectively if the Reds are to come away with a result from Catalunya.
Team News
Barcelona
Rafinha will miss out for the Catalans on Wednesday night, but on the positive side, Ernesto Valverde does not have any suspension concerns ahead of this clash. Both Phillipe Coutinho and Lionel Messi should be fresh after only featuring for 45 minutes on the pitch last weekend.
Barcelona Predicted XI:
Ter Stegen, Semedo, Lenglet, Pique, Alba, Busquets, Rakitic, Arthur, Messi, Suarez, Dembele
Liverpool
Both Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino are major doubts for this midweek European encounter at the Nou Camp. Firmino is currently in a race against time to recover from his muscle problem before Wednesday night.
However, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is available to feature in this game which will be a big boost for the Reds.
Liverpool Predicted XI
Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Wijnaldum, Henderson, Keita, Salah, Mane, Firmino
Key Men
Barcelona
Lionel Messi will once again be responsible for doing most of the damage for Barca up front. Luis Suarez also needs to have a productive game if the home team are to emerge victorious from this clash. The defensive performance of Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet will also be integral towards determining the result of this contest in midweek.
Liverpool
Klopp’s fabulous front three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane will be tasked with getting the crucial away goal on the night. However, all eyes will be on Virgil Van Dijk and how the recently crowned PFA Player of the Year fares against Messi at the Nou Camp.
Odds
Barcelona win – 19/20
Draw – 14/5
Liverpool win – 13/4
