Arsenal vs Barcelona Prediction and Preview – 23/02/16

Champions League preview – Arsenal vs Barcelona prediction.

Arsene Wenger was able to rest a number of players when Arsenal drew 0-0 with Hull City in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday. Mesut Ozil was given time away to shake off a cold and goalkeeper Petr Cech was also excused squad duties. Both players return for the Champions League clash against Barcelona on Tuesday while Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez are among the first team regulars who will be elevated from starting on the bench. Gabriel Paulista missed out on the cup tie due to a hamstring strain and is doubtful for Tuesday’s game while Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla and Tomas Rosicky remain sidelined.

Sergio Busquets was suspended when Barcelona defeated Las Palmas at the weekend and is expected to return to the midfield with Sergi Roberto relegated to the bench. Ivan Rakitic and Ardo Turan are competing for a place on the right wing and Luis Enrique may opt for Rakitic who has been the preferred choice so far in this Champions League campaign. Brazilian midfielder Rafinha is a long-term absentee recovering from cruciate ligament damage and is the only injury concern.

Possible Line-ups

Arsenal 4-2-3-1 formation: Cech; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Ramsey, Coquelin; Chamberlain, Ozil, Sanchez; Giroud

Barcelona 4-3-3 formation: Bravo; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Rakatic, Busquets, Iniesta; Neymar, Suarez, Messi

Statistics

• Arsenal have won 5 drawn 4 and lost 1 of their last 10 matches
• Barcelona have won 9 drawn 1 and lost 0 of their last 10 matches
• Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Arsenal have scored an average of 1.3 goals and conceded an average of 0.7 goals per game
• Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Barcelona have scored an average of 3 goals and conceded an average of 0.8 goals per game
• There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 4 of Arsenal’s previous 10 matches
• There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 8 of Barcelona’s previous 10 matches

Prediction

Arsenal left it late to qualify from Champions League Group F after losing three of the first four games. The Gunners came up with a big performance to beat Olympiakos 3-0 in Athens in the very last group game to progress with a better head-to-head record against the Greek champions. Arsenal are struggling for consistency on the domestic front too, having won 2 and drawn 3 of the last six in the Premier League.  

Barcelona eased through Group E with four wins and two draws, dropping points at Roma and at Bayer Leverkusen where the scores finished 1-1 in both games. Saturday’s 2-1 victory in Las Palmas was their 8th consecutive win in La Liga and their 32nd game unbeaten in all competitions. Barca’s last visit to the Emirates resulted in a 2-1 defeat before winning the return leg 3-1.

It’s six years since Arsenal last reached the Champions League quarter-finals and they look unlikely to make the last eight again this season.

Tips

Draw at 17/5 with Marathonbet

Over 2.5 goals at 4/6 with Betfair Sportsbook

Correct Score 2-2 at 15/1 with BetVictor

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