LaLiga champions Barcelona take on Premier League title contenders Liverpool on Wednesday at Camp Nou in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-finals tie, it should be a battle that football fans will remember for years to come, given the amount of talent in both teams. The two sides have last met in the round of sixteen of this competition back in 2007 and at that time Liverpool won 2-1 at Camp Nou before losing 1-0 at Anfield. Liverpool are undefeated in their four matches at Camp Nou, they won two and drew twice, and overall they have won three of their eight matches against Barcelona. On the other hand, the Blaugrana have won just two of the eight matches against the Reds in European competitions.
Barcelona have just celebrated their first trophy of the season, last weekend they secured a 1-0 victory over Levante which handed them the LaLiga title with three matches to spare. Now they have only the Champions League and the Copa del Rey final to worry about if they want to complete a treble this season. In the previous round the Blaugrana hammered Manchester United 4-0 on aggregate, and before that they hammered Lyon 5-1 at home after a goalless draw in France. Rafinha is the only injury concern for head coach Ernesto Valverde, former Liverpool stars Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho are both fit and ready to play alongside superstar Lionel Messi.
Liverpool have probably seen the Premier League title slip through their fingers, they are one point behind leaders Manchester City with two matches left in the season and it is quite unlikely that the Citizens will drop any points in the remaining games. Last week Liverpool hammered last-placed Huddersfield 5-0 to record their tenth consecutive victory in all competitions, an impressive run that has seen the Reds score two or more goals in each of these games. In the previous round Liverpool defeated FC Porto 6-1 on aggregate and before that they knocked out Bayern Munich with a 3-1 victory in Bavaria. Fabinho missed last week's match due to a head injury but he should recover in time for Wednesday's game, while Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana are injury doubts.
Probable line-ups:
Barcelona: Ter Stegen - Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba - Rakitic, Busquets, Arthur - Messi, Suarez, Coutinho
Liverpool: Alisson - Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson - Henderson, Fabinho, Keita - Salah, Firmino, Mane
My prediction: Barcelona to win 2-1, it will be a fierce battle but I expect the Blaugrana to edge past the Reds.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Barcelona win - 1.90
Draw - 3.80
Liverpool win - 4.20
Your feedback
Please enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
