Barcelona - Antwerp Tip 19-09-2023

The UEFA Champions League is back in our lives this week as we get ready for the group stage of the competition. Thirty-two of the biggest and best clubs from across Europe will come together in an attempt to make their push for a place in next year’s final in London. Today, we’ll be taking a look at what should be a fun encounter between Barcelona and Royal Antwerp.

Barcelona’s recent history has been turbulent, to say the least, with troubles off the pitch often serving as a dark cloud hanging over what they’ve been able to achieve on it. The Spanish giants are still a force of nature, though, and with the squad they have at their disposal, they’re definitely going to be a team to watch as dark horses in the grand scheme of things.

After a 0-0 draw with Getafe to get things underway, Barcelona have gone on to produce their typical brand of football entertainment. They defeated Cadiz 2-0, Villarreal 4-3, Osasuna 2-1 and, most impressively, they dismantled Real Betis 5-0 over the weekend.

Last season, Royal Antwerp took what they believe to be their rightful place back at the top of the mountain. They are once again the champions of Belgium and when you take a look at their squad, it becomes clear why. They’ve taken their time in doing so but they’re ready to be back in the big time, and it’ll be interesting to see how they insert European football into that picture.

After tearing KV Kortrijk apart 6-0, Antwerp were held by Oud-Heverlee Leuven 1-1 in a surprising result. They then managed to get through their qualifying playoff against AEK Athens over two legs before a 2-2 draw with Union Saint-Gilloise and a comfortable 3-0 triumph over Westerlo.

Antwerp’s best bet here, in the minds of many, will be to make things physical from the word go - but we think that’s going to be a little bit played out, especially against a team that’s in this kind of form. It’s going to be competitive in parts but it feels wrong to go for anything other than a Barcelona win.