The Champions League (CL) returns and will get underway with a Group B clash between Barcelona and PSV, with both sides the current champions of their respective nations.
This will be the first meeting between Barcelona and PSV since the sides were drawn together in the 1997/98 CL group stage, both legs ended 2-2 back then. The all-time H2H record tips slightly in the hosts favour as Barcelona boast a record of W2, D3, L1 versus their Dutch counterparts.
The recent European form of the sides points directly to a Barcelona win as they are now unbeaten in their last 26 UEFA home games (W24, D2), while PSV are winless in their last six group stage games (D2, L4).
Barcelona extended their domestic winning streak to six games following their 2-1 win over Real Sociedad at the weekend. Expect action as both sides have scored ten or more goals across their last two games.
PSV manager Mark van Bommel protects a seven-game unbeaten run heading into this one and has lost just one game as a manager so far (W7, L1). PSV are the highest scoring club in any of Europe’s top six leagues with 21 goals after just five games (all won).
Players to watch: Lionel Messi has the joint highest number of all time CL hat-tricks with seven, can he edge past Ronaldo here?
LIVE STREMING BARCELONA VS PSV:
Steven Bergwijn (PSV) is currently on a personal best run of four goals across three consecutive games domestically and in Europe – he will look to extend that to four here.
Stat attack: Barcelona have scored more all time CL hat-tricks than any other side (12). Messi contributed 58.3% of those.
PSV’s 7-0 victory at the weekend equalled an Eredivisie record for the largest ever away win.
Both teams have scored in five of the six historical H2Hs, all of those games featured over 2.5 goals.
Will not play
Alena C.
(Muscle Injury)
Rigo D.
(Injury)
Malcom
(Ankle Injury)
Romero M.
(Injury)
Vermaelen T.
(Injury)
Thomas R.
(Knee Injury)
Probably will not play
Samper S.
(Ankle Injury)
Suarez D.
(Muscle Injury)
Match Information
Referee: Sidiropoulos A. (Gre)
Venue: Camp Nou (Barcelona)