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BATE Borisov will be looking to back up an emphatic win over Roma with a positive result against Barcelona, but the motivated visitors are obviously massive favorites to take home the three points.
Despite some good domestic form (BATE are virtual champions already), nothing was truly announcing that victory against Roma for today`s hosts. They weren`t impressive in the Champions League qualifiers and were coming after a 4-1 loss to Leverkusen in the last round. However, BATE started off in brilliant fashion against the Italians, leading 3-0 and holding out for a 3-2 win. Obviously there was a lot of luck involved, but still a great result.
Having to cope without a couple of key players, particularly Messi, Barcelona had a really tough time last round against Leverkusen, after previously drawing in Rome. The Catalans were led 1-0 and needed a 2 minute salvo in the 81st and 82nd minute to claim the three points. They followed that with a 2-1 defeat to Sevilla, but last weekend’s 5-2 win over Rayo Vallecano seems to have put Barca back in business, as they learn how to play without Messi.
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Team news & lineups:
Zhavnerchik and Rodionov are out for BATE, while Barcelona has to do without Messi, Iniesta and Rafinha.
BATE: Chernik – Olekhnovich, Polyakov, Milunovic, Mladenovic – Aleksievich, Nikolic, A Volodko, Stasevich – Gordeichuk, Signevich
Barcelona: Bravo – Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba – Busquets, Rakitic, Sergi Roberto – Neymar, Suarez, Munir
Listen, BATE Borisov will surely leave everything on the pitch today, but it won`t be enough against a Barcelona side that looked pretty well over the weekend. After that draw against ROma, the visitors are in need of points if they want the first place in the group, so they will not take this game lightly – fielding the best available lineup.
I reckon the biggest problem for BATE in this match will be the fact that their defense is not reliable and they are leaking a lot of goals, even in the domestic league. It will be easier for Barcelona to create chances, as it`s difficult to expect a kind of game in which BATE will just defend with precision for 90 minutes, hoping for a 0-0.
Neymar and Suarez are starting to hit it off very well in the absence of Messi and I fully expect Barcelona to get a calm, comfortable win in Belarus. Don`t expect a blowout, but the visitors should claim a 2 or 3 goal victory. My tip is Barcelona to win with a 1,5 handicap. They will just have too much for the feisty Belarusian side. Prediction: BATE Borisov – FC Barcelona 1-3.
Pick: Barcelona -1,5
Odds: 1.78 @ 1xBet
Stake: 7
Possible profit: 5.46
Event date: 20 October
