FC Barcelona vs FC Porto preview, team news, tickets & prediction – Ghana Latest Football News, Live Scores, Results

Both clubs are tipped for the top spot in Group H, and this fixture is the last chance to claim it in a head-to-head battle.

The UEFA Champions League is unique because it is the only arrangement where you can find historic clubs like Barcelona and Porto facing off with plenty on the line.

The last time these two juggernauts met in Europe’s premier club competition was in the 1999/00 season when Barca won both games, while they last played each other in the 2011 European Super Cup, also won by the Catalans.

Their ninth competitive meeting last time out saw a well-taken goal from Ferran Torres help the Spaniards take the points on what was Xavi Hernández’s 100th game as Barca manager.

Par for the course, the Blaugranas are yet to be beaten in any competition this season as they sit three points behind rivals Real Madrid at the top of the Spanish top flight.

They got an aggressive welcome to the new season at Getafe, where both teams had a man sent off in a goalless draw. However, things got to a sensational gear with late goals scored in wins against Cadiz, Villarreal and Osasuna.

The other side of the first international break saw Xavi’s men score five times in successive games against Real Betis and Royal Antwerp, the latter in the opening match of the 2023/24 Champions League campaign.

Two wins and a draw followed in their next three games before Barca renewed acquaintances with Porto at the Estadio do Dragao and left with a controversial 1-0 win. In the final La Liga game before the October international break, the Culers needed a second-half comeback to earn a 2-2 draw with Granada.

Barcelona next faces Shakhtar Donetsk before a potential group decider against Porto in Catalonia.

The La Liga champions are in a good way this season and finding the net with regularity as they have scored the most goals in the league with 21 strikes. That potent attack will serve as a warning to Sergio Conceicao’s side, who are diligent performers themselves.

The Portuguese giants find themselves in third place in the Primeira Liga standings with 19 points from eight matches, and they will be keen to put together a memorable campaign in Europe.

Porto have served up exceptional drama this season as their first three league games ended with late winning goals until Arouca held them to a 1-1 draw.

Mehdi Taremi scored the decisive goal in a win against Estrela Amadora to set them up for the opening UCL game against Shakhtar Donetsk, which ended 3-1 in favour of the Portuguese side.

Although there was another added-time winner to savour from Stephen Estaquio against Gil Vicente, Benfica and Barcelona, both defeated Porto in top-of-the-table clashes before they ended that run with a win of theirs against Portimonense.

The Blues and Whites have won all their games this season by a lone goal, with their two defeats in all competitions – against Benfica and Barca – both coming via the odd goal.

The Dragons are incredibly resilient and must find the balance to defeat the Spanish giants. Indeed, the away settings could benefit them, given Barca failed to win three of their home games in European competitions last term.

Conceicao’s men must be ready to match the hosts tactically and psychologically to break their winless record against them in this tournament. The Blues and Whites clearly have it all to do, but if there is one side capable of thriving in chaotic games this season, it is Porto.

Match tickets

This match is scheduled for Tuesday, 28 November, with kick-off set for 8 PM UK time. The action will be broadcast on Telefonica in Spain, Eleven, and TVI to the Portuguese audience.

Barcelona play their home games at the Estadi Olympic Lluis Companys this season due to the renovation of Camp Nou, and the 54,367-capacity arena will be brimming with the UCL atmosphere when Porto comes to town. There are unlikely any spare seats from the FC Barcelona vs FC Porto tickets that both clubs will sell, so what can supporters do?

Porto away tickets will be priceless, so fans desperate to attend the game may be lucky enough to find one on ticket resale sites.

Team news

Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski are injury casualties after the latter went off with an ankle injury in the first game against Porto. Young full-back Alejandro Balde is facing a period on the sidelines due to an adductor injury as well as Lamine Yamal and Jules Kounde

Meanwhile, all the players mentioned above are expected to return before they face Porto, but midfielders Pedri and Frenkie de Jong are still unavailable. Gavi will have served his suspension after a late sending-off in the first leg.

Porto have their fitness worries to contend with as Pepe is currently unavailable but should be fit for the Barca game. Gabriel Veron and Zaidu Sanusi are in a similar situation, but Iván Marcano is out long-term.

On a positive note, Evanilson returned from his injury and scored the winning goal against Portimonense.

Lamine Yamal became the second youngest player ever to make his debut in the Champions League when he came on against Antwerp, and he will be eyeing his maiden start and first goal in the competition.

Ferran Torres has been in good form lately and could be handed a spot on the flanks to support Lewandowski and the lively Joao Felix.

Barcelona: ter Stegen; Cancelo, Kounde, Christensen, Balde; Romeu, Gavi, Gundogan; Torres, Lewandowski, Felix

Conceicao could retain faith in the 4-4-2 shape they have used recently to maximise the attacking poise in a front-two of Taremi and Pepe.

Should he get a start, Barca will be contending with the familiar face of La Masia graduate Nico González, who only left the Culers last summer.

Porto: Costa; Joao Mario, Cardoso, Carmo, Wendell; Varela, Estaquio, Baro, Galeno; Pepe, Taremi

Prediction

Porto have never beaten Barcelona, who remain the only Spanish club they are yet to defeat in the Champions League. The Dragons also failed to keep a clean sheet in four of their five away games so far, and Barca will be looking for holes in their backline

While the Portuguese outfit will be desperate to keep this a tight game for long periods, Barca and their goal-hungry players hope to get off to a good start.

Barcelona 2-1 Porto