FCB vs POT Match Details
Date: Tuesday, 28 November 2023 / Wednesday 29 November 2023
Time: 20:45 (CET) / 01:30 (IST)
Venue: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona
FCB vs POT Match Preview
Barcelona could have edged closer to their first qualification to the Champions League knockout stages after two seasons with a fourth straight group stage win. Instead, the Catalan giants suffered a 1-0 away loss against Shakhtar Donetsk having won against them 4-1 in the reverse fixture at home. Xavi’s team will now have to secure all three points against second-place FC Porto in the next match to ensure their place in the Round of 16. The team secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory in Portugal in the reverse fixture where they were down to 10 men and the opposition wasted a ton of chances to score. They had shot-stopper Ter Stegen to thank for that evening but his services will be missed on Tuesday. Still, Barcelona will be wishing for a smooth run this time. However, a defeat for the side coupled with a win for Shakhtar against bottom-placed Antwerp in the other game will leave them to decide their faith on the last match-day.
Porto have been in fine form as well losing only to Barcelona and picking up victories in other matches. The Portuguese giants are placed second in the table only for conceding a goal more than the leaders Barcelona despite collecting equal points and having the same goal difference. The equation for Porto is the same as the home side with a victory advancing them to the next round. A draw will also be enough for Sergio Conceicao's side should Shakhtar lose in their match. But this fixture has been unkind to Porto who have lost all the five ties so far with Barcelona in the Champions League. They managed to score only twice in this meeting while conceding 12 at the same time. Overall, Porto has defeated the Catalan giants only once in their history which was a 3-1 victory back in 1985.
Recent Form (all competitions)
FCB: DWLWL
POT: WWWLW
Recent Form (Champions League)
FCB: LWWW
POT: WWLW
FCB vs POT Team News
Barcelona could be without main-choice keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen after he missed the weekend clash with Rayo. Inaki Pena is expected to continue in his place. Midfielder Gavi is ruled out for the entire season with a serious knee injury but Xavi will have options in the position with Frenkie de Jong having returned from an ankle problem while Sergi Roberto could also make the squad after a calf issue.
Meanwhile, Porto has a number of injury blows to deal with Samuel Portugal, Ivan Marcano, Gabriel Veron and Ivan Jaime all missing the tie. Defender Wendell is also a major doubt for the clash while David Carmo is also out through suspension. Evanilson, who has scored four goals in the Champions League ties against Antwerp and nine in all competitions, will begin up front alongside Mehdi Taremi.
FCB vs POT Predicted Lineups
FCB: Pena; Cancelo, Araujo, Kounde, Balde; Gundogan, De Jong, Pedri; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Felix
POT: Costa; Mario, Pepe, Cardoso, Sanusi; Galeno, Varela, Eustaquio, Aquino; Evanilson, Taremi
FCB vs POT Dream11 Prediction
GK: Costa (7.5)
DEF: Cancelo (8.5), Kounde (8), Mario (7.5)
MID: Raphinha (7), Eustaquio (8.5) Gundogan (8.5), Pedri (7.5)
FW: Evanilson (9), Lewandowski (9), Felix (8.5),
Vice-captain: Ilkay Gundogan
Captain: Robert Lewandowski
