Barcelona
Barcelona’s recent exits from the Champions League Group Stage have intensified pressure on the club off the field, despite efforts to pull economic levers. To appease fans and showcase the current President’s leadership, a deep run in the Europa League would be beneficial. Meanwhile, Barcelona’s strong position in the Spanish top flight suggests a promising future. Although the club hasn’t won the La Liga title since 2019, they are currently favoured to end the drought this season. Barcelona’s domestic form has been solid, but they have struggled in Europe, losing three out of six Champions League Group Stage matches and thus relegating to the Europa League Knock Out Rounds. Recent history suggests that the club has been less successful in European competition, losing five out of their last eleven games played at Camp Nou.
Since their 0-3 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League Group Stage, Barcelona have been unbeaten in 16 matches across all competitions, with their most recent victory being a narrow win over Villarreal on Sunday, making it eight wins in a row. At home, Barcelona’s performances have been decent, winning four out of their last five matches and managing to keep clean sheets in each of those victories.
Barcelona Last 5 Results
✅ 12/02/23. 21:00 Villarreal – Barcelona 0 : 1 (0 : 1) (0 : 0) LaLiga
✅ 05/02/23. 21:00 Barcelona – Sevilla 3 : 0 (0 : 0) (3 : 0) LaLiga
✅ 01/02/23. 21:00 Real Betis – Barcelona 1 : 2 (0 : 0) (1 : 2) LaLiga
✅ 28/01/23. 16:15 Girona – Barcelona 0 : 1 (0 : 0) (0 : 1) LaLiga
✅ 25/01/23. 21:00 Barcelona – Real Sociedad 1 : 0 (0 : 0) (1 : 0) Copa del Rey
Manchester United
Manchester United’s late goals in their recent matches have helped them stay on course for a top-four finish in the Premier League, despite a series of injuries stretching their squad. The win over Leeds United gave some players an opportunity to rest, but the team remains short on numbers as they prepare to face Barcelona in the Europa League Play-Off.
Erik ten Hag has shown a serious commitment to every competition, so he was surely disappointed when Manchester United finished behind Real Sociedad in the Europa League Group Stage. As a result, they must compete in the Play-Off Round instead of earning an automatic place in the Last 16, facing a tough opponent. However, the team won all three away games in the Europa League Group Stage and have remained unbeaten in six away European ties overall.
Having won five of their last six games in all competitions, Manchester United’s recent performances have been impressive, particularly their scoring prowess. As they head to Barcelona, the team will aim for a third consecutive away win, following victories over Nottingham Forest and Leeds United, after their previous defeat at Arsenal.
Lisandro Martinez’s suspension will prevent him from playing, although Raphael Varane is expected to return. The return of Casemiro from domestic suspension is even more crucial. However, the team may be without Scott McTominay, Antony, and Anthony Martial, all of whom are doubtful for the match against Leicester City on Sunday.
Manchester United Last 5 Results
✅ 12/02/23. 15:00 Leeds United – Manchester United 0 : 2 (0 : 0) (0 : 2) Premier League
➖ 08/02/23. 21:00 Manchester United – Leeds United 2 : 2 (0 : 1) (2 : 1) Premier League
✅ 04/02/23. 16:00 Manchester United – Crystal Palace 2 : 1 (1 : 0) (1 : 1) Premier League
✅ 01/02/23. 21:00 Manchester United – Nottingham Forest 2 : 0 (0 : 0) (2 : 0) League Cup
✅ 28/01/23. 21:00 Manchester United – Reading 3 : 1 (0 : 0) (3 : 1) FA Cup
Head to Head
Barcelona and Manchester United will face each other for the first time since their Quarter Final match in the 2019 Champions League, which Barcelona won 4-0.
Barcelona’s back-to-back victories in both legs of that tournament means that they have now won four consecutive matches against Manchester United, including the 2009 and 2011 Champions League Finals.
In their upcoming match, Barcelona will host Manchester United for the sixth time at the Camp Nou, having won three of the previous five encounters, with the remaining two matches resulting in draws.
16/04/19, 21:00 FC Barcelona – Manchester United 3 : 0 (2 : 0) (1 : 0)
10/04/19, 21:00 Manchester United – FC Barcelona 0 : 1 (0 : 1) (0 : 0)
27/07/17, 01:30 FC Barcelona – Manchester United 1 : 0 (1 : 0) (0 : 0)
25/07/15, 22:05 FC Barcelona – Manchester United 1 : 3 (0 : 1) (1 : 2)
TWV Sport Team Thoughts
As the Champions League returns for the Knock Out Rounds this week, two European football giants, who have played in a total of thirteen European Cup Finals and won the prestigious trophy eight times combined, will face off against each other.
Unfortunately, Barcelona and Manchester United will meet each other in the Europa League Play Off Round, indicating the difficult times both teams have faced in recent years.
However, both clubs appear to be on an upward trajectory. Barcelona is likely to clinch the Spanish Championship for the first time since 2019, while Manchester United has shown significant improvement under Erik ten Hag. This suggests that they could face each other on a grander stage in the future, possibly even next season. Nonetheless, this tie in the Europa League is arguably the most exciting match of the week.
Barcelona are considered the favourites in the First Leg, despite their recent disappointing home European form. The five-time European Cup Winners have lost 5 of their last 11 games at the Camp Nou, including a shocking 2-3 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League last season, and need to prove themselves.
They have been effective in the attack and should be able to threaten Manchester United’s struggling defence. While clean sheets were produced in their last 2 away games, Manchester United had to rely on a lot of luck to earn them, whereas Barcelona have kept clean sheets in 12 of their last 13 home games played.
Despite creating chances, Barcelona’s attack has not produced many goals, and their defence remains vulnerable. Manchester United’s attackers could exploit this vulnerability. With Casemiro back, Manchester United has a significant advantage, as they had missed him in their two games against Leeds United. I anticipate that the Premier League club will create chances in this game too.
I anticipate a closely contested tie over two legs, with the First Leg in Spain likely to produce goals. Barcelona can afford to play with more freedom since away goals no longer count double, and this may lead to a high-scoring game as seen in the 3-3 draw with Inter Milan and the 0-3 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League Group Stage.
Manchester United have had success in recent visits to Spain, remaining unbeaten in four games and winning three of them. However, this fixture is expected to be much more competitive than their heavy defeat to Barcelona in April 2019. I predict at least three goals being scored on the night, with both teams expected to find the back of the net at least once.
Match Result Prediction
✅ Barcelona to win.
Score Prediction
Barcelona 1 – 0 Manchester United
