Barcelona – Bayer

With the hosts on the back of a humiliating defeat and with Messi injured, Barcelona will seek to prove doubters wrong and claim the first win in this years’ Champions League.

The 4-1 defeat to Celta Vigo over the weekend still rings in Barcelona’s fans ears and nothing but a convincing win over Leverkusen will erase that result. Sure, the particular scoreline was unlucky for Barca on Saturday, but the Catalans showed they don`t have depth and are eagerly waiting the Winter, when their current transfer embargo will be lifted. For now the hosts have to get over this game one way or the other, especially since they weren`t able to win in the first round in Rome.

Leverkusen will try to exploit Barca’s apparent momentary weakness, but the Germans are having their own problems this season and they will also remember that the last time they visited Camp Nou it was a 1-7 defeat back in 2012. Bayer has played good football this season, but their defense looked naive at times and was the reason for which the visitors lost 3 out of 7 Bundesliga matches so far – too much for a team of Bayer’s quality. On the bright side, Leverkusen has 2 consecutive wins and ruined BATE Borisov in the previous group stage game, 4-1 in Germany.

Bet on Barcelona vs. Leverkusen at Betsson and claim your 25 Euro welcome bonus!

Team news & lineups:

The big news of course is that Messi will be out for Barcelona. Rafinha and Bravo are also unavailable, while Vermaelen and Alba are questionable. Leverkusen won`t be able to count on Aranguiz, Jedvaj and Toprak. Hilbert is doubtful.

FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen – Adriano, Mascherano, Pique, Alves – Iniesta, Busquets, Rakitic – Neymar, Suarez, Munir

Bayer Leverkusen: Leno – Wendell, Papadopoulos, Tah, Donati – Kramer, Bender – Kampl, Calhanoglu, Bellarabi – Kiessling

While Barcelona will miss Lionel Messi, Leverkusen has its own problems with potentially three defenders being out. That will not work well for an already shaky back line at Camp Nou.

I reckon Barca’s problems are a bit overrated, one loss and the fact that Messi is out can only hurt this team to a limited extent. The Celta defeat will actually surely push Barcelona to perform even better and look to score as many as possible tonight. The hosts are motivated to win this game from all points of view and still have Suarez and Neymar to do the job up front. Leverkusen is a respectable side, but they don`t seem to have the quality or the style to trouble Barca at Camp nou. The last big game Leverkusen played ended with a 0-3 loss to Dortmund 10 days ago and I expect a similar outcome in Catalunya. My tip is Barcelona to win with a 1,25 asian handicap. Prediction: FC Barcelona – Bayer Leverkusen 4-1.

Pick: Barcelona (-1,25 Asian Handicap)
Odds: 1.85 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 6.80
Event date: 29 September