BARCELONA are on the brink of another humiliating Champions League exit and what was billed as a huge showdown with Bayern Munich could be reduced to a dead rubber when the teams trot out onto the Nou Camp pitch.
If Inter Milan beat Czech no-hopes Viktoria Plzen in the early game in the group – and they are 1/7 generally to do so – Barca will be resigned to the Europa League again after a disastrous campaign in the group stages.
Just the one win in four games so far in the group – against the Czechs – have left them almost down and out and what should have been a fascinating Robert Lewandowski battle against his former club will be just a sideshow.
Bayern are of course already through after their almost obligatory flawless group campaign which has yielded four wins out of four so far.
At the start of the season, there were whispers that they might not be their imperious selves in the Bundesliga this season, but they have won their last four games in all competitions and are breathing down the necks of leaders Union Berlin.
Barca returned to winning ways with an emphatic 4-0 hammering of Athletic Bilboa at the weekend after a disappointing loss at Real Madrid in El Clasico.
How the bookies view it
Barcelona are 27/20 favourites with SportNation.
It's not often you can back Bayern Munich at 15/8, but that's what they are with William Hill. The draw is 16/5 with bet365.
Recent head to heads
Barcelona couldn't find a way through the Bavarian wall when the sides met in September and Bayern won 2-0 at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern have got the Indian sign over Barca – they have beaten them on their last five meetings including a memorable 8-2 thumping at the Nou Camp two years ago.
Players to watch
Robert Lewandowski cut a frustrated figure on his return to Bayern last month and couldn't score. However, his goal in their win on Sunday was his 17th goal in 17 appearances for club and country and he is odds-on at 20/21 to bet on Wednesday with bet365.
Bayern Munich forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has scored four goals in his last three games and he is 11/4 with bet365 to add to that.
Anything else catch the eye?
A win for Bayern would confirm them as group winners and they can continue their outstanding recent upper hand against Barca with a win at a big price.
When they need to, Bayern step it up and questions have been asked recently about Barca's mentality. They are almost certainly going to be out before kick off anyway and there could be a very flat atmosphere inside the Nou Camp, especially with a trip to Valencia to come this weekend.
With all that attacking talent on the pitch, goals surely must flow though and it's worth backing both teams to score in the first half at 12/5 with bet365.
This UEFA Champions League match between Barcelona and Bayern Munich will be played on Oct 26, 2022 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Barcelona vs Bayern Munich prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
