Barcelona vs Tottenham prediction Pundit gives Champions League verdict; will Messi play?

BARCELONA welcome Tottenham to the Nou Camp tonight with Mauricio Pochettino’s side still in the hunt to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages.

Sport 11:35 11.12.2018

While the Catalans are already assured of topping Group B, Spurs must match Inter Milan’s result against PSV Eindhoven to progress.

Pochettino's side have the same number of points as Inter but hold a head-to-head advantage over the Italians.

Spurs lost 2-1 to the Serie A side in the San Siro in their first meeting in September, but their 1-0 win at Wembley means they lead Inter on away goals.

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde says he will "respect the competition" after omitting Luis Suarez and hinting Lionel Messi may also miss the game.

"There are players with discomfort and it does not fit into my plans, of course, to play then in two games in three days," said Valverde.

"Inter has nothing to fear. If they had drawn or won, they would have no problem. We have to look after ourselves. We will go out to win but we respect the competition and we want to win."

Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas has given his verdict on the game and thinks that the Premier League side will come up short.

That would mean Spurs would be eliminated from the competition unless Inter lost at home to PSV.

“Barcelona are through but the thing is this is Barcelona and they don't do anyone any favours,” Nicholas told Sky Sports.

“Spurs will have a real go but I think this is just a game too far for them here in what should be a decent game of football.

“Tottenham have got really dangerous players and there'll be loads of goals because they'll open up the game but that'll suit Barcelona with some open football being their cup of tea.”

And Nicholas predicts that Barcelona will win 4-2.

Tottenham will be without injured full-backs Serge Aurier and Kieran Trippier for the game, meaning Kyle Walker-Peters could start in Europe for the first time.

Juan Foyth is unavailable as he is not in the club's Champions League squad but Kane, Eriksen and Erik Lamela are expected to return.

The La Liga champions are unbeaten in their last 28 home Champions League games, winning 26.

They have scored 87 goals in that run, while conceding just 13 and never more than once in a match.

 

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