Antwerp vs Barcelona prediction, free betting tips & odds

Date: 13 December 2023
Kick-Off: 20:00 UK, 21:00 CET
Venue: The Bosuilstadion
TV: TNT Sports

Contents

1 Antwerp vs Barcelona: Top free betting tips
2 Antwerp vs Barcelona team news
3 Antwerp vs Barcelona: Tickets
4 FAQs: Antwerp vs Barcelona

Antwerp vs Barcelona: Top free betting tips

Barcelona travel to Belgium on Wednesday 13 December to take on Royal Antwerp in the final group game of this season's Champions League. Barcelona need a point to guarantee their spot as group winners while Antwerp are playing purely for pride after being eliminated from the competition in the previous gameweek. Our Antwerp vs Barcelona prediction is for a straightforward away victory with Xavi's side having too much for the Belgian champions.

Match result prediction: Barcelona to win

Barcelona have struggled for consistency so far this season and they are already losing ground in the La Liga title race. Xavi's side have fared better in Europe, however, picking up 12 points from a possible 15 and they stuck five past Antwerp when the two teams played earlier in the group at Barcelona's Olympic Stadium.

Both teams to score prediction: No

Antwerp never looked like scoring in the reverse fixture with Barcelona's quality far too strong for the Beglian outfit. They haven't improved on that performance since and are the only team in the competition still on zero points after fixtures. Unfortunately, we don't think they will get a goal on Wednesday night even if Barcelona do make several changes to their starting eleven.

Correct score prediction: Antwerp 0-2 Barcelona

Xavi is expected to ring the changes for this fixture with a trip to Valencia at the weekend on the horizon so we don't anticipate another 5-0 battering. However, Barcelona's second-string unit should still be too much for Antwerp so we expect Barcelona to comfortably qualify as group winners following this match. Unfortunately for Antwerp, we predict they will join the 0-point club.

Antwerp vs Barcelona team news

Antwerp predicted lineup vs Barcelona

For their last European match of the season, Royal Antwerp will want to give this one a real good go but they will have to do so without striker Arbnor Muja after he picked up a red card in the match against Shakhtar a fortnight ago. Antwerp boss Van Bommell is also without Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, Anthony Valencia and Jacob Ondrejka so he is short of options upfront.

Butez – De Laet, Alderweireld, Coulibaly, Wijndal – Yusuf, Vermeeren Kerk – Balikwisha, Ejuke, Janssen

Barcelona predicted lineup vs Antwerp

Xavi will have been severely disappointed by his side's showing at the weekend as they lost 4-2 to league leaders, Girona. The loss gives several fringe players the opportunity to impress against Antwerp, including Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal.

In terms of players who definitely won't play, Gavi, Marinez, ter Stegen and Alonso are all injured while Ronaldo Araujo and Joao Felix won't be risked due to being just one yellow card away from suspension.

Pena – Cancelo, Kounde, Christensen, Balde – Romeu, Lopez, Gundogan – Yamal, Lewandowski, Torres

How far will Barcelona fans travel to Antwerp?

The trip to Antwerp from Barcelona is far from the longest trip that fans can experience in the Champions League but it isn't straightforward. Some fans will elect to drive or take a convoluted route on the trains, however, the vast majority will fly. As there are no direct flights from Barcelona to Antwerp, the travelling Barca fans will most likely fly to Brussels and then take a train or coach to Antwerp.

Antwerp vs Barcelona: Tickets

Unsurpisingly, Antwerp supporters have sold out The Bosuilstadion for the match against Barcelona. The stadium has a capacity of just over 16,000 and all home tickets have been purchased for what is the clubs' biggest match in a number of years in terms of opposition. Barcelona haven't sold their away allocation for the match, with the difficult route to Antwerp likely a factor.