Champions League preview and odds: Barcelona vs. BATE Borisov

Published on: 02/11/2015

Champions League preview and odds: Barcelona vs. BATE Borisov

November 4, 2015 19:45pm Camp Nou

Champions League

Reigning champions Barcelona could secure passage to the Round of 16 with a win at home against Group E opponents BATE Borisov on Wednesday night.

Barca cruising through Group E

If Barcelona complete the double over FC BATE Borisov at the Camp Nou on gameweek four and Roma do not beat Bayer Leverkusen, the Catalans will progress to the knockout stages of the tournament for the 12th season in a row.

In the last game, an Ivan Rakitic double was enough to sink the Belarussians and secure all three points for the Spanish champions. They enter this game on a run of seven straight home wins in UEFAs elite competition that stretches back to 2013.

BATE poor on the road

BATE have never won a point on Spanish soil, and having won just one of their last 13 Champions League away fixtures, they will not be too hopeful of taking much from this visit to Barcelonas Camp Nou.

In the current campaign, including qualifiers, the Belarussian champions have drawn two and lost two outside of their homeland. However, they could still progress to the knockout stages if they lose on Wednesday.

Team news

Barcelona were boosted by the return of Andres Iniesta at the weekend but will still be without Lionel Messi, Rafinha and Douglas.

The visitors will be without former Barca man Aleksandr Hleb (hip), Vitali Rodionov (knee) and Maksim Zhavnerchik (foot), who are all injured.

Recent form (All competitions)

Barcelona: WDWWW

BATE Borisov: WWLWD

Betting odds and tips

With a home win expected, there is no value at all in the match result market, so you will need to look elsewhere.

Luis Suárez is on a run of eight goals in his seven starts and can be backed to score anytime at 4/7 with Coral. Meanwhile, teammate Neymar has netted six in his last five games and can be backed to score anytime at 8/15 with Betfred.

Published on: 02/11/2015

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (02/11/2015 15:53:58) but are subject to change.