Champions League preview and odds: Arsenal vs Barcelona

Published on: 21/02/2016

Champions League preview and odds: Arsenal vs Barcelona

February 23, 2016 19:45pm - Emirates Stadium

Champions League - Round of 16, First leg

Barcelona will be defending a 32-game unbeaten record in all competitions when they travel to London to face Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 on Tuesday.

Gunners face tough tactical challenge

Arsenal have not advanced beyond the Champions League Round of 16 in any of the last five seasons. If they are going to break that streak, they will have to defeat the reigning champions over two legs, beginning at the Emirates on Tuesday.

With a second leg at the Camp Nou to come, gaining home advantage could be crucial, so Arsene Wenger will be faced with some difficult decisions about what tactical approach to adopt for this game. While scoring at one end will be vital, restricting the threat of Messi, Suarez and Neymar at the other end could provide the biggest challenge.

The Gunners come into this game on the back of a disappointing 0-0 draw against Hull City in the FA Cup. Their only defeat on home soil in the last 15 games in all competitions came in the Premier League against Chelsea back in January (0-1).

Barca unbeaten in 32

Barcelona will be looking to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 33 games on Tuesday night, when they continue their defence of their Champions League crown.

Luis Enrique`s men suffered their last defeat back in October when they fell 2-1 at Sevilla. Since then, they have won 24 games and drawn six. On the road, they are unbeaten in 15, having won 10 and drawn five. Last time out, they scraped to a 2-1 away to Las Palmas in La Liga. Influential midfielder Sergio Busquets was suspended for that game but will return to the squad on Tuesday.

Team news

The home side are still without Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla.

Meanwhile, the visitors are without the injured Rafinha.

Recent form (league)

Arsenal: WWDLD

Barcelona: WWWWW

Betting odds and tips

Both teams have scored in eight of Barcelona`s last 10 league games, and nine out of their last 11 matches have finished with Over 2.5 Goals.

You can back Both Teams to Score at 4/6 and Over 2.5 Goals at 13/20 with Bet365.

Published on: 21/02/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (21/02/2016 14:51:18) but are subject to change.