2019/20 UEFA Champions League Group F was always going to be a keenly contested affair with Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan involved.Slavia Prague were expected to make up the numbers and little more but despite being bottom of the group they have more than held their own.
On Wednesday the 27th of November, Barcelona will host Borussia Dortmund at the Camp Nou with both teams requiring points to secure a place in the knockout stages of the Champions League this season.
As things stand in the group, Barcelona enter this match as the leaders with 8 points to their name from 4 games played. The Catalan Giants were hoping to have booked their place in the round of 16 having previously played Slavia Prague at home. However, they could not breakdown The Czech Republic team and were frustrated in a 0-0 draw.
That result means Barcelona have won 2 and drawn 2 of their 4 Champions League group games. In addition to the draw with Slavia Prague, Barcelona were held to a 0-0 draw in their previous match away against Borussia Dortmund.
Trends show Barcelona have won 2 of their last 5 Champions League games with the victories coming at home against Inter Milan and away against Slavia Prague. However, Barcelona have a formidable record at home in the Champions League and have won 30 of their last 34 games in the competition, with the other 4 ending in draws.
Borussia Dortmund are currently 3 points clear of Inter Milan in 2nd place in the group but know a defeat in this game could see them level with the Italian club going into the final round of matches. The Germans come into this game having defeated Inter Milan 3-2 at home in their previous match despite going in 2-0 down at half-time.
That was only their second win of this group and Borussia Dortmund lost 2-0 away against Inter Milan earlier in the campaign, which is not a good sign ahead of this match.
Trends show Borussia Dortmund have won only 2 of their last 6 Champions League games. They have won 3 of their last 12 away matches in the competition and have failed to score a single goal in 3 of their last 5 on the road.
Looking ahead to the team news and Barcelona are without full backs Jordi Alba and Nélson Semedo who are injured plus the suspended Gerard Piqué. With Clement Lenglet also a doubt, Barcelona could be short at the back.
Auch der Mannschaftsrat ist anwesend: Kapitän @woodyinho, Vize-Kapitän Lukasz #Piszczek, @axelwitsel28 und @matshummels sind da.Heute Nachmittag wird trainiert, morgen beginnt die #BARCABVB-Reise! ✈️ pic.twitter.com/Kh19ziJhcG— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) November 25, 2019
Auch der Mannschaftsrat ist anwesend: Kapitän @woodyinho, Vize-Kapitän Lukasz #Piszczek, @axelwitsel28 und @matshummels sind da.Heute Nachmittag wird trainiert, morgen beginnt die #BARCABVB-Reise! ✈️ pic.twitter.com/Kh19ziJhcG
Borussia Dortmund are definitely without central midfielder Thomas Delaney who picked up an ankle injury playing for Denmark. Striker Francisco Alcacer is a doubt due to a knee injury.
Despite being held to a 0-0 draw at home against Slavia Prague last time out, Barcelona must be considered favourites to win this game. They remain strong at home in the Champions League and should score the goals to beat Borussia Dortmund and seal their place in the knockout stages.