Barcelona continue their quest to progress to the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League as they travel to Slavia Prague on Wednesday.
The Catalans have impressed in recent weeks, while the Czech side are still seeking their first win in the league phase.
Slavia Prague have struggled to cope with the quality in the league phase, having failed to earn a win in six matches and failing to score in their last four. Jindrich Trpisovsky's men suffered a 3-0 defeat in their previous fixture and are currently 33rd in the table.
Away from the Champions League, Slavia Prague’s overall form has also been unconvincing, with just two wins from their last five matches in all competitions. However, their last competitive outing was a 4-3 home victory over Jablonec in a domestic fixture.
Meanwhile, Barcelona have fared much better than their hosts, with three wins and a draw from six matches. They claimed a 2-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt last time out and will have eyes for the automatic places, sitting two points off the top eight.
The Catalans are coming off a 2-1 La Liga defeat at Real Sociedad, a result that ended a run of 11 straight wins in all competitions. Hansi Flick's men have also won five of their last six away matches in all competitions.
How the bookies view it: Barcelona overwhelming favourites
Barcelona have been installed as overwhelming favourites and are priced at 1/3 by bet365 to claim the win. A victory for Slavia Prague is valued at 7/1 by Betfred, while a draw is set at odds of 5/1 by bet365.
Head to head: Catalans on top
Barcelona went unbeaten when both teams met in the group stage of the 2019-20 Champions League. The Catalans claimed a 2-1 away win in the first meeting before playing out a 0-0 home draw in the reverse fixture.
Players to watch: Eyes on Rashford
Marcus Rashford is Barcelona's leading scorer in the Champions League this season, with four goals. The forward was also on target at Real Sociedad last weekend and will be the one to watch (Marcus Rashford anytime goalscorer – priced at 11/10 by Betfred).
With Slavia Prague struggling in attack, Barcelona will be targeting a shutout, having kept clean sheets in four of their last five away matches. Gerard Martin and Pau Cubarsi are usually solid at the back and can lead the Catalans to another clean sheet (Barcelona clean sheet – valued at 6/4 with bet365).
Probable line-ups:
Slavia Prague have a few injury problems, with Filip Horsky, Alexandr Buzek and Dominik Javorcek all sidelined. Tomas Chory should lead the line while Tomas Vlcek is set to continue in defence.
Barcelona will be without Andreas Christensen, Gavi, and Raphinha, who are all injured, while Lamine Yamal is suspended. Rashford could earn a start after scoring off the bench last weekend, while Martin could also return, having been an unused substitute at Sociedad.
Slavia Prague: Stanek, Holes, Vlcek, Chaloupek, Doudera, Moses, Zafeiris, Sanyang, Provod, Chory, Chytil.
Barcelona, Garcia, Kounde, Cubarsi, Martin, Balde, Pedri, de Jong, Rashford, Olmo, Torres, Lewandowski.
Anything else catch the eye?
When one side looks too strong, a handicap bet can even things up. Learn how in our Handicap Betting Masterclass.
Barcelona have won by two or more goals in four of their last five away matches (Barcelona -1 handicap – offered at 17/20 on William Hill). There have been more goals after the break in four of the visitors' last five away matches (Second half highest scoring half – available at 19/20 on Betfred).
The Catalans have won to nil in four of the last five matches (Barcelona win to nil – set at odds of 9/5 by William Hill).
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