Royal Antwerp vs Barcelona Prediction & Betting Tips - Champions League

Prediction published on 13/12/2023, 06:42  by Nella Wagah in Champions League Predictions

Royal Antwerp’s Champions League debut will end with a Group H home game against Barcelona on Wednesday. Going into this game, Antwerp are sure to finish bottom while Barcelona hope to avoid defeat to confirm top spot. Five defeats in as many matches have left Antwerp searching for their first points on Match Day 6. Domestically, they are doing well, and come into this game with three straight wins. However, they have failed to carry that run into Europe. They are coming from a 3-1 away win over Cercle Brugge and will want to build on their recent run. In their last Group H game, Antwerp suffered a 1-0 away loss at Shakhtar Donetsk. That however came long after their elimination. In their two home games in this group, they’ve at least scored and will hope to extend this against Barcelona. Antwerp will want to do better than in their 5-0 loss to Barcelona on Match Day 1.

Barcelona will be looking to bounce back after their La Liga loss to Girona. Playing at home, Barcelona found it tough against the runaway league leaders, losing 4-2. This was another confirmation of their dwindling defensive fortunes. Barcelona have struggled to replicate last season’s form in defence. Even in their last three Champions League matches, they failed to keep clean sheets. The 5-0 win over Antwerp on match Day 1 is one of their two clean sheets in the competition this season. Barca have actually managed just those two clean sheets in 12 Champions League matches. That will not bother them a lot coming into this game though, as they have already qualified for the knockouts. A comeback to beat Porto 2-1 in the last Group H game confirmed they’ll stay on in this competition.