FC Barcelona vs Celtic: Champions League Preview & Prediction

Celtic open their Champions League group stage campaign knowing that they will need to be at their best if they are to come away from Barcelona’s Nou Camp with three points.

Brendan Rodgers’ side have already played six times in the European competition this term, after having to contest three qualifying rounds to progress to the group stages.

The Bhoys overcame Lincoln Red Imps 3-1 on aggregate, despite losing the first-leg to the Gibraltarian side, in what will surely go down as one of the most embarrassing results in the Glasgow side’s history.

Astana was the next team that Celtic were to brush aside, although once again Rodgers’ side made life difficult for themselves as they advanced 3-2 on aggregate.

The Scottish champions looked sure to have booked their place in the group stages as they defeated Hapoel Be’er Sheva 5-2 in the first-leg of the play-off round. However, the Bhoys lost 2-0 in the second-leg and had to hold on to seal their place in Group C alongside Barcelona, Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach.

Rodgers’ side go into their clash with Barcelona after defeating Rangers in the Old Firm derby on Saturday. Summer signing Moussa Dembele registered a hat-trick in the 5-1 win over their local rivals. The former Fulham frontman will have to be at his best if the Hoops are to come away from Catalonia with a positive result.

However, Celtic only need to look at Alaves to realise that Barcelona are not unbeatable. The newly-promoted side came away from the Nou Camp with a shock 2-1 win to end Barça’s perfect start to the new La Liga campaign.

But with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar at Luis Enrique’s disposal, Celtic’s back four are sure to be in for a long night.

Summer signing, Dembele, has now scored an impressive seven goals in his 11 Celtic appearances – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Team News:

Celtic captain Scott Brown has been declared fit ahead of the trip to Spain. The former Scotland international was injured in the win over Rangers on Saturday, but has travelled with the rest of the squad.

However, Rodgers will be without star striker Leigh Griffiths, who is still recovering from a hamstring tear.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen could return for the home side. The Barcelona number one was expected to miss the clash due to a hamstring injury, but the German goalkeeper has returned to training ahead of schedule. As a result, recent signing Jasper Cillessen would start on the bench after making his debut in the defeat to Alaves.

Andre Gomes, who joined from Valencia in a big-money move in the summer, is set to miss out. The midfielder, who was part of the Portugal squad that won Euro 2016, is struggling with bruising.

Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta are set to return to the starting line-up after being rested on Saturday.

League Positions: Barcelona – 5th (6 pts); Celtic – 1st (12 pts)
Last Meeting: Barcelona 6-1 Celtic – (December 11, 2013 – Champions League group stage)
Form: Barcelona – LWWWWL; Celtic – LWWLWW
Key Men: Barcelona – Lionel Messi; Celtic – Moussa Dembele
Shoot Says: Barcelona 3-0 Celtic