The already qualified Barcelona host a desperate for a win Spurs squad this Tuesday night in the Champions League! Barca have already clinched the 1st spot in the Champions League and no matter what result they’re safe here. However, Tottenham need to either match or out do Inter’s result and with Inter hosting PSV in the other fixture, it is more than likely that Spurs will have to win this game at Nou Camp. As tough as the task may look for Tottenham, they simply have to believe and with the recent run of good form this task is definitely doable and maybe just maybe they will have a famous night at the Nou Camp.
Key Facts
Barcelona are on a 4 game win streak right now scoring 11 goals in these games. Hot run of form.
Barcelona are unbeaten in 27 consecutive home Champions League games in the group stages.
Barcelona have scored 38 goals in 11 games at home this season (3.4 per game). Their record at Nou Camp is 8W 2D 1L.
Lionel Messi is the leading scorer in the Champions League with 6 goals despite only playing 3 games. He averages 2 goals per game in the UCL this season.
Messi has scored 5 goals in 5 apps since returning from injury including 2 braces.
Lionel Messi has scored 22 goals in 29 apps against Premier League clubs (2 in 1 app against Spurs). Love to play the English sides.
Lionel Messi has contributed to 27 goals in just 17 apps this season (19G 8A)
On average there are 3.4 goals scored in Barcelona’s Champions League games this season.
Barcelona average just 1.8 bookings per game in the Champions League this season.
Barcelona are yet to concede a Champions League goal at Nou Camp this season.
Tottenham have won 8 of their last 9 games in all competitions scoring 20 goals in this run. Red hot form.
Tottenham have had a very solid record away from home this season with 9W 1D 3L. However their record away from home in Europe is 0W 1D 1L having lost to Inter and drawing PSV.
On average there are 3.4 goals scored in Tottenham’s UCL games this season.
Tottenham have struggled defensively in UCL conceding 9 goals in 5 games (1.8 per game) and have only kept 1 clean sheet.
Harry Kane has 4 goals in UCL in 5 apps. He scored in 3 of the games.
Harry Kane has been in great form having scored 6 goals in his last 8 apps.
On average Tottenham see 3.2 bookings per game in the Champions League.
Team News
Barcelona: Sergi Roberto, Umtiti, Rafinha, Arthur and Luis Suarez are all out for Barcelona for this match up. We will likely see Coutinho come in for Suarez while Dembele should stay starting alongside Messi if Valverde decides not to rest him given that the game is meaningless. Lenglet and Pique have been playing together at CB but once again there could be potential rotation with Thomas Vermaelen looking to get game time and him being the only other available option at CB with Umtiti out. In midfield with Arthur out, Arturo Vidal has been able to start alongside Rakitic and Busquets however there could also be possible rotation with youngster Alena and Denis Suarez looking to get starts. There are definitely a possibility of rotation from Valverde for this game given that Barcelona can’t fall below 1st place, but even then it should be quite a strong team out there.
Tottenham Hotspur: Spurs will be without Trippier, Dembele, Sanchez and Wanyama who are all still nursing their injuries while Erik Lamela is questionable and will have to face late fitness tests after missing his last couple of games. Furthermore, Serge Aurier has also picked up an injury during the weekends fixture meaning Spurs are likely going to have to field their young RB Kyle Walker-Peters which would turn out to be a massive change for them given that he’s not played much football for the club and being thrown under such fire in such a big game he’ll have to deliver! Juan Foyth is unavailable because he’s not in the CL squad therefore Vertonghen and Alderweireld will pair at CB. Harry Kane came off the bench during Saturday’s win over Leicester but he’ll be back in the starting line-up here.
Betting Tips and Predictions
This is quite a tough game to bet on. Barcelona are obviously near invincible at Nou Camp and if this game had more meaning for them they would definitely be the team to back however they have been hit with injuries, there is a potential of rotation and all of a sudden it feels like backing Spurs is the better option, they NEED this game desperately, they more than likely have to win to advance and we anticipate them to be the more desperate side therefore if we were to back a team to have a better chance to win it’d be Spurs. Spurs to not lose (+0.5 AH) is priced at 1.87 which looks a good bet and is indeed our top pick for the game, if you want higher odds then the 0.0 handicap at 2.60 is worth the look but we wouldn’t back a straight up win where you get no money back in case of a draw. We also anticipate goals in this game. Both sides are very entertaining, this does have a feel of an open game given that Tottenham need a win and Barca are known for their attacking football so they’ll naturally just attack which should give us about 4+ goals. Over 3.5 goals at 2.25 would be our pick in terms of goals. We anticipate a 2-2/2-3 game here and Harry Kane will get on the scoresheet (priced at 2.20 to score).
Match Odds (Unibet)
Barcelona Win – 2.02
Draw – 4.25
Tottenham Hotspur Win – 3.40
KICK OFF – 11th December 2018 – 8pm UK Time
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