Red Star Belgrade welcome Barcelona to the Stadion Rajko Mitić on Wednesday night for an important Champions League clash. The Serbian side have had a very poor start to their European campaign, the last last thing they need is a visit from high flying Barcelona.
Belgrade have lost 3/3 games in this competition this season, conceding 11 goals in the process. They have lost 5-1 to Monaco, 4-0 vs Inter Milan and 2-1 vs Benfica. In fact, they have lost 10 of their last 13 Champions League games. With the 2nd worst defensive record in the competition, only Slovan Bratislava have conceded more goals. In their previous 2 Champions League games they have conceded 42 shots with 15 on target. Monaco recorded an xG of 3.33 and Inter managed 2.01 – showing their defensive vulnerability. This will not give the home side much confidence going into this clash especially considering how the visitors have started the season.
Barcelona have been exceptional this season and are clear favourites to win in Serbia on Wednesday night. They have impressed under new coach Hansi Flick. Since taking over, the Spanish giants have scored a huge 50 goals in his 15 games. The highlights certainly being their 4-0 win vs Real Madrid and 4-1 win vs Bayern Munich – all within the last 2 weeks. They go into this game having won 6/6, scoring 24 goals in the process.
After losing their opening UCL game vs Monaco, they have bounced back impressively with a 5-0 victory over Young Boys and a 4-1 victory over Bayern Munich. Flick and his Barcelona side will be keen to take advantage of this weak Belgrade side. We are backing Barcelona to win by 2 or more goals at a minimum here, but don’t be surprised if they put 4/5/6 past Belgrade.
TIP: Barcelona -1.5, -2.0 Asian Handicap @ 1.840 (Bet365)
