Barcelona vs Royal Antwerp predictions for Tuesday’s Champions League affair at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. Barcelona will be aiming to get their first Champions League campaign win when they host group-stage new boys Royal Antwerp in Catalonia on Tuesday night. Read on for our free betting tips and predictions.
Match Live Tuesday, 19th September at 8:00 pm In:
Barcelona vs Antwerp Predictions
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Barcelona’s Champions League Quest: A Duel with Debutants Royal Antwerp
Key Stats
– Royal Antwerp are making their inaugural appearance in the Champions League group stage.
– Robert Lewandowski has already bagged three goals for Barcelona this season.
On the horizon is a captivating encounter as Barcelona play host to Royal Antwerp at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys this Tuesday. It’s a fixture that marks the beginning of the Champions League Group H stage, showcasing the champions of both the Spanish and Belgian domestic leagues. Sharing the group limelight with these two teams are Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk.
Barcelona: The Comeback Giants
Barcelona, taking the top spot in La Liga, have kicked off their season remarkably with a tally of four victories and a single draw from five outings. This places them just a smidge behind arch-rivals Real Madrid by two points.
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Reflecting on their previous Champions League endeavour, the memory isn’t so rosy. Barcelona, sharing the group with Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, and Viktoria, faced a tumultuous journey. Although they showcased moments of brilliance, like the 2-2 draw against Manchester United with goals from Marcos Alonso and Raphinha, it wasn’t enough. A setback against the Red Devils in the Round of 32 witnessed them exit the competition.
However, this season tells a different tale. Barcelona’s electrifying form has been evident. Their goal-less draw against Getafe, subsequent to the ejections of Raphinha and Jaime Mata, has been the only blip in an otherwise near-perfect record. Their attacking prowess is evident with their recent 5-0 demolition of Real Betis, witnessing goals from stalwarts like Joao Felix, Lewandowski, Torres, Raphinha, and Joao Cancelo.
Royal Antwerp: The Rising Stars
Shifting our gaze towards Royal Antwerp, they occupy the fourth berth in the Belgian Pro League. With three victories, a couple of draws, and a solitary defeat from six matches, they’re just two points shy of the pinnacle.
Last season’s Europa Conference League offered a mixed bag of results for Antwerp. A valiant effort in the qualifiers was cut short by Istanbul Basaksehir, leading to a 4-2 aggregate defeat. Nonetheless, their grit saw them edge past AEK Athens with a 3-1 aggregate victory, booking their Champions League berth.
Recent form for ‘The Great Old’ has been promising, with a string of three wins and two draws. Their last escapade saw a commanding 3-0 victory against Westerlo, showcasing a possession-driven game, although their on-target attempts were limited.
Star Players in Focus
Barcelona: Their stellar performances in La Liga this season are underlined by their top players’ metrics. Pedri, with a BettingTips4You Expert Rating of 8.05, tops the charts, followed closely by stalwarts such as Ronald Araújo, Jules Koundé, and the iconic Robert Lewandowski. Particularly noteworthy is Lewandowski, who’s already found the back of the net three times this season, echoing his prowess.
Antwerp: In the Belgian Pro League, Vincent Janssen emerges as the shining star with a rating of 7.60 and an impressive five goals to his name. He’s supported by strong performers such as Jelle Bataille and Gastón Ávila.
Match Predictions
1. Match Outcome: Barcelona to Win and Both Teams to Score
Barcelona have showcased their exceptional prowess at the start of the La Liga season. With four wins from five matches, the Catalans are firing on all cylinders, finding the net consistently. What’s notable is Barcelona’s 2.6 goals per game on average this season, highlighting their potent attacking threat. Their recent thrashing of Real Betis with a 5-0 scoreline underpins their scoring capabilities.
Royal Antwerp, on the other hand, are making their inaugural appearance in the Champions League group stage. While they’ve had a decent run in the Belgian Pro League, there’s a chasm between domestic and Champions League football. However, it’s crucial to note that the Belgian side has also been finding the back of the net, averaging 2.2 goals per game.
Given the attacking numbers of both teams, there’s a likelihood of goals at both ends. Yet, considering Barcelona’s recent form, experience, and home advantage, they’re heavily favoured to bag all three points. Thus, while Royal Antwerp could find themselves on the scoresheet, Barcelona’s quality should see them emerge victorious.
2. Correct Score Prediction: Barcelona 3 – 1 Royal Antwerp
Barcelona’s attacking players, such as Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, have been in top form this season, each contributing three goals so far. With a consistent attacking force at the helm, the Spaniards are bound to find the net multiple times.
Royal Antwerp, albeit newcomers, shouldn’t be underestimated. The likes of Vincent Janssen have been in good scoring form, and they’ve managed to find the net consistently in their domestic league. It’s plausible to suggest that they could snatch a goal against the Catalans.
Hence, based on current form and statistical analysis, a 3-1 victory for Barcelona seems like a logical prediction, offering a balance between Barcelona’s attacking prowess and Royal Antwerp’s potential to surprise.
3. Goalscorer Prediction: Robert Lewandowski to Score
There’s no denying Robert Lewandowski’s reputation as one of the world’s most lethal strikers. The Polish international’s transition to Barcelona has been seamless, with him already finding the back of the net three times in La Liga this season. His goal-scoring instinct, combined with the creative midfielders behind him like Pedri, makes him a consistent threat.
Royal Antwerp’s defence, though solid in the Belgian Pro League, hasn’t faced an attack of Barcelona’s magnitude recently. Given Lewandowski’s predatory instincts in front of goal and his knack for turning up in big matches, it’s highly plausible he’ll find his name on the scoresheet. Whether it’s a deft finish, a powerful header, or capitalising on a defensive error, Lewandowski’s versatility makes him the prime candidate to score during the match.
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