Barcelona vs Celtic preview

September 12, 2016
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Barcelona vs CelticBarcelona will be looking to make amends for the disappointing home loss to Deportivo Alaves when they host high-flying Celtic at Camp Nou.

Buoyed by the 5-1 hammering of bitter rivals Rangers in the Old Firm Derby, the Bhoys arrive in Catalunya hoping to create a major surprise.

Barcelona enjoyed a strong start to the season, recording a 5-0 aggregate win over Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup, before also defeating Real Betis and Athletic Bilbao in La Liga.

The Catalans then expected to have an easy job at home against newcomers Deportivo Alaves, and that is why Luis Enrique decided to leave quite a few star players on the bench.

The decision backfired big time as the minnows enjoyed a 2-1 victory at Camp Nou, and the introduction of Messi, Suarez and Iniesta failed to help the hosts avoid a costly defeat.

Barcelona players will be looking to deliver a perfect response and they can now be backed at 1.40 (2/5) for a half-time/full-time win.

It goes without saying that Leo Messi, Luis Suarez, Andres Iniesta and Jordi Alba will be recalled to the side, but Andre Gomes is rated doubtful.

First choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen battles a muscle problem, meaning that summer recruit Jasper Cillessen could continue in goal.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Cillessen – Sergi Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba – Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta – Messi, Suarez, Neymar.

Celtic return to the Champions League group stages after a three-year absence, and they will be facing mighty Barcelona yet again.

The Bhoys did well to beat the Catalans in November 2012, but have since lost next three meetings, and will now be looking for revenge.

Celtic head into the high-profile clash in excellent spirits, having just defeated arch rivals Rangers 5-1 in the first Old Firm Derby in SPL since their rivals returned to the top flight.

And having hammered very good Aberdeen side before the international break, it is perfectly clear that Brendan Rodgers’ side have hit the ground running.

The visitors will be without star striker Leigh Griffiths, who has yet to recover form a hamstring tear, but hat-trick hero Moussa Dembele will be ready to fill his boots.

Experienced midfielder Scott Brown is rated doubtful, but there are no other selection worries for manager Brendan Rodgers.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): de Vries – Lustig, Sviatchenko, Toure, Tierney – Brown, Bitton – Forrest, Rogic, Sinclair – Dembele.

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