Barcelona vs Antwerp Predictions

• Barcelona have kept a clean-sheet in seven of their last eight competitive home matches
• Xavi’s side are on a four-match winning run across all competitions
• Antwerp will be playing their first-ever match in the Champions League group stage

Efficient Barca hard to stop on home soil

Barcelona may be playing their home matches at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys this season while the Camp Nou is being renovated, but that has not disrupted their impressive home record, as they have won both their home matches to date this term without conceding.

Xavi’s side have now kept clean sheets in seven of their last eight competitive matches on home soil, while Saturday’s 5-0 thrashing of Real Betis means they will head into Tuesday’s Champions League opener on a four-match winning run.

After failing to get out of their group in each of the last two years, Barca will be more determined than ever to make a strong start to this season’s competition.

Antwerp may face a baptism of fire

While Barca are Champions League regulars, opponents Royal Antwerp will be competing in the group stage of the competition for the very first time after winning last season’s Belgian Pro League and coming through an awkward play-off tie with AEK Athens.

Mark van Bommel’s side are on a six-match unbeaten run heading into Tuesday’s trip to Catalonia, but they did fail to score in defeat at Anderlecht earlier this season and may find this step up in class too much on their Champions League group-stage bow.

Barca conceded just four goals in 19 home matches last season in La Liga and another win to nil could be on the cards for Xavi and co this midweek.