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Kick off: Thursday, 17 December 2015 @10:30 GMT
Venue: Nissan Stadium (Yokohama)
Head to head record
No past meetings
Barcelona vs Guangzhou Evergrande prediction
A place in the FIFA Club World Cup final will be at stake when Champions League winners Barcelona take on AFC Champions League holders Guangzhou Evergrande at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama. The Chinese team face an uphill task in Thursday’s clash and it remains to be seen if they are capable of making a miracle in Japan.
Barca eyeing yet another title
Barcelona did remarkably well to win everything last season. The Catalan side won the treble last term, but they are hungry for more success. Luis Enrique’s men are leading the chase for la Liga title and they booked their place in the Champions League knockout stages without any difficulties. However, Barca have not been in a brilliant form of late as they head into Thursday’s FIFA Club World Cup semi-final following three consecutive draws. The Champions League winners shared the spoils with Valencia and Deportivo La Coruna in the national championship, while playing out a 1-1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen in their final group game in the elite competition and, no doubt, they are eager to return to winning ways. Brazilian attacker Neymar has been sorely missed in recent games, but the likes of Leo Messi and Luis Suarez are surely capable of posing a big threat for Guangzhou defenders. You should have in mind that the Catalan giants have netted 14 goals in previous five matches in all competitions. Barca won the FIFA Club World Cup trophy in 2009, with the team beating Estudiantes in the title game.
Neymar has yet to recover from his injury, but coach Luis Enrique has no fresh injury worries ahead of the match. Sandro Ramirez is likely to replace Neymar in the starting XI. Rafinha and Douglas remain in the recovery room.
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Guangzhou have a big fish to fry in Yokohama
Thanks to a 2-0 win over Beijing Guoan Guangzhou Evergrande managed to clinch the Chinese Super League trophy. The AFC title holders are enjoying a season to remember and they will be looking to put icing on the cake when they take on Barcelona in the FIFA Club World Cup semis. The Chinese outfit set up a meeting with Barca by beating America in the quarter-finals, but the Champions League winners will surely pose a much bigger threat for Luis Felipe Scolari’s troops than their previous rivals. The experienced has a number of high-profile players to choose from, but, no doubt, former Real Madrid ace Robinho is the team’s brightest star. Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder scored the winner for Guangzhou in the 2-1 triumph over America and he will be yet another man to watch in the away team. You should have in mind that the Chinese side faced Bayern Munich at the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup and they were not capable of matching the European side back then (0-3).
Coach Felipe Scolari is unlikely to make too many changes to the team that faced America. The Brazilian tactician is likely to stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation, meaning that Elkeson is going to be deployed up front as a lone striker.
Quick Facts
- Barcelona have netted at least one goal in previous ten matches
- Luis Enrique’s men are after their fifth consecutive win at the FIFA Club World Cup
- Barca are on a six-game unbeaten run, speaking of away fixtures
- It has been seven months since Guangzhou Evergrande suffered their last defeat
- The Chinese side have kept a clean sheet in five of their last seven matches
- Guangzhou have netted five goals at the FIFA Club World Cup so far
Barcelona vs Guangzhou Evergrande betting tip
David faces Goliath in Yokohama and despite the fact that important attacker Neymar will miss the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final with injury, I believe that there is a big value in betting on the Champions League winners. Leo Messi scored a wonder goal against Deportivo la Coruna and the Argentine magician is surely capable of helping Barca book their place in the final.
Tip: Barcelona/Barcelona
Odds: 1.47 (12/25) @BetVictor
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