Barcelona go up against Royal Antwerp this coming Tuesday in a game played out at Estadio Olimpico Lluis Companys. This is their first outing this season in the group stage of the Champions League.
As outsiders go, only Crvena Zvezda can compete with Royal Antwerp in terms of being the biggest outsider in this opening round of the Champions League. The Belgian champions are taking part for the first time and right away face one of the biggest club in European football history.
Barcelona look in imperious form after thrashing Real Betis by no less than 5-0 on Saturday. Anything but a home win would be a humongous surprise in this first round.
Barcelona put in a modest showing during their last ten matches in this tournament, averaging 1.4 goals per game or 14 in total. They conceded 15, giving them an average of 1.5 per game, and managed to keep three clean sheets throughout this run.
Royal Antwerp did well to keep Greek champions AEK Athens at bay in the final qualifying round. The Belgians won both legs, which no doubt boosted confidence.
Barcelona vs Royal Antwerp Prediction
Barcelona Form
In their last three outings, Barcelona won 3-4 against Villarreal, beat Osasuna by 1-2 and hammered Real Betis 5-0. Barcelona claimed a modest two wins in their past six home matches in the Champions League. They also drew two and lost two, scored nine goals and conceded ten.
Royal Antwerp Form
In their last three matches, Royal Antwerp beat AEK Athen 1-2, drew 2-2 with Union St.Gilloise and beat Westerlo by 0-3. Royal Antwerp claimed just one win from the last six away games in the Champions League. They also drew zero and were defeated zero times, as they were outscored by one goals to two.
A home win for Barcelona is the obvious choice at Estadio Olimpico Lluis Companys. With the attacking qualities on display here, it has the makings of a high scoring affair when Royal Antwerp come visiting.
Barcelona vs Royal Antwerp Stats
- Barcelona have won 6 of the last 8 home matches without conceding a goal
- Barcelona have not lost 17 of the last 19 home matches
- Barcelona have scored in 16 of the last 17 matches
- Barcelona have scored in 17 of the last 19 home matches
- Barcelona have won 7 of the last 8 home matches
- In 16 of the last 17 Royal Antwerp away matches the sum of goals was under 3.5
- In 12 of the last 14 Royal Antwerp away matches the sum of goals was under 2.5
- Royal Antwerp have not lost 10 of the last 12 away matches
- Royal Antwerp have not lost 9 of the last 11 matches
- Royal Antwerp have scored in 10 of the last 12 away matches
Barcelona vs Royal Antwerp Team News
At the time of writing, it looks as if only two players are unavailable for Barcelona, when they prepare for their upcoming assignment.
Barcelona-players Pedri and Ronald Araujo won't be playing in the upcoming match against Royal Antwerp at Estadio Olimpico Lluis Companys due to nursing various injuries.
Barcelona vs Royal Antwerp H2H
This is the inaugural encounter between Barcelona and Royal Antwerp in the Champions League.
Barcelona vs Royal Antwerp Betting Tips
Robert Lewandowski is showing good form for Barcelona, scoring five goals in their last six matches. Vincent Janssen scored once in his previous half dozen outings.
Barcelona have been pretty scary at home, winning eight of their last 10 home games across all tournaments, while also managing to draw one of the games in the process. They were defeated in one of the games in this run. Royal Antwerp won five of their last 10 games away, drew three and lost all points in two of those matches along the way. Barcelona are excellent at shutting up shop at the Estadio Olimpico Lluis Companys with no less than eight clean sheets in the last 10 matches here. Meanwhile, Royal Antwerp have been able to keep a clean sheet in four of their last 10 games away from home.
In their last ten matches across all tournaments, Barcelona saw six of them finish with more than 2.5 goals, with themselves scoring an average of 2.6 goals during this run. Over 2.5 goals came up in four of Royal Antwerp's previous ten matches across all tournaments. They managed to score an average of 1.8 goals in these matches.
