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Kick off: Tuesday, 20.10. 2015. @20:45
Venue: Borisov Arena
Head to head record
Barcelona vs BATE 4-0 (Champions League)
BATE vs Barcelona 0-5 (Champions League)
BATE Borisov vs Barcelona prediction
Messi-Barcelona will be looking to build on a come-from-behind win over Bayer Leverkusen when they take on BATE at Borisov Arena on Tuesday evening. Barca aim to cement top position in Group E, but the Catalan giants need to take the BATE game very seriously.
BATE showed character against Roma
BATE kicked off their Champions League campaign with a 4-1 loss to Bayer Leverkusen, but, against all odds, the Belarusian champions outplayed Roma in Borisov in their second group game. Aleksandr Yermakovich’s team revived their hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the elite competition, but they are certainly on a very difficult quest. BATE have already sealed the domestic title and it has to be noted that they clinched their tenth consecutive trophy in the national championship. Aleksandr Yermakovich’s troops are surely brimming with confidence ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Barcelona and it remains to be seen if they are capable of claiming a major scalp in Group E. Former Barca star Aliaksandr Hleb will be the man to watch in the home side when the Belarusian champions take on the Catalan giants.
Top scorer Vitali Rodionov has yet to overcome his injury. Coach Aleksandr Yermakovich, though, has no fresh selection worries ahead of the Barcelona game. Dmitri Mozolevski is widely expected to keep his place in the starting XI.
Neymar scoring goals for fun
Barcelona played out a 1-1 draw with Roma at Stadio Olimpico in the opening match of their Champions League campaign. However, despite playing without Leo Messi in their first home fixture in the process against Bayer Leverkusen, the Catalan giants did well to defeat the Bundesliga outfit at their Camp Nou (2-1). The Argentine star has yet to overcome his respective injury, meaning that all eyes will be on Neymar and Luis Suarez in Tuesday’s clash against BATE Borisov. Neymar scored four goals in a 5-2 win over Rayo Vallecano at the weekend and the Brazilian ace will surely give 100 % to extend his goal-scoring run when Barca take on BATE at Borisov Arena. Luis Enrique’s charges aim to cement top position in Group E, but it is well known that the defending champions are not regarded as good travelers. Barcelona have already suffered two defeats on the road in the 2015/2021 la Liga campaign, with the team losing to both Celta Vigo and Sevilla away from home.
The likes of Leo Messi, Rafinha Alcantara and Andres Iniesta are all out of contention with injury. Munir El Haddadi is widely expected to replace Leo Messi in the starting XI. Sergio Roberto should start the match too.
BATE Borisov vs Barcelona betting tip
Barcelona outclassed BATE Borisov in previous two meetings between the two teams in the Champions League and the Catalan giants are likely to extend their winning run on Tuesday evening. Luis Enrique’s team produced a brilliant display in the 5-2 win over Rayo Vallecano and they are obviously capable of scoring a number of goals even without Leo Messi in the starting XI. BATE clinched the domestic trophy at the weekend, but I am not sure if they will have a reason for celebration on Tuesday evening.
Tip: Barcelona/Barcelona
Odds: 1.90 (9/10) @BetVictor
