FC Barcelona vs Young Boys UCL preview: Form guide, injuries, lineups, and prediction. Will the Catalans secure their first win? Kick-off time and telecast info inside!
FC Barcelona play Young Boys at the Estadi OlÃmpic Lluis Companys on Tuesday night seeking their first Champions League victory of the season after a first draw against AS Monaco. Barca are doing well under Hansi Flick though, topping La Liga, even with a swathe of injuries that has diminished the strength of their team. Young Boys would be the perfect test for the Catalan club to get back into their stride in Europe.
Young Boys, on the other hand, enter this tie following a heavy defeat to Aston Villa in their first Champions League tie. They are currently experiencing a downfall in the Swiss Super League and rank 9th with just one victory this season domestically. The test they are going to face in Barcelona is going to be big for them as they oppose a hungry team seeking redemption on home turf.
Match Details:
- Date: Tuesday, 1 October 2024
- Kick-Off: 08:00 PM UK / 12:30 AM IST (Wednesday, 2 October)
- Venue: Estadi OlÃmpic Lluis Companys
Form Guide:
- FC Barcelona: L-W-W-L-W
- Young Boys: L-L-W-W-D
What to Expect:
Barcelona’s young players have stepped up in the absence of key stars, helping the team maintain their league form. In this Champions League clash, they will look to channel that same energy despite missing key players like Ronald Araujo, Dani Olmo, Andreas Christensen, and Marc Andre Ter Stegen. However, there’s positive news as Frenkie de Jong is fit and available for selection.
Young Boys will face a daunting task away from home, especially with several of their key players out. Saidy Janko, Patric Pfeiffer, and Facinet Conte will be missing for this crucial fixture. The Swiss side will aim to stay resilient, knowing that Barcelona will dominate possession and seek an early lead.
Head-to-Head:
This will be the first time Barcelona and Young Boys meet in an official competition, adding a layer of intrigue to the fixture.
Predicted Lineups:
- FC Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Pena(GK); Balde, Martinez, Cubarsi, Kounde; Casado, Garcia; Raphinha, Pedri, Yamal; Lewandowski.
- Young Boys (4-2-3-1): Ballmoos(GK); Athekame, Camara, Benito, Conte; Niasse, Ugrinic; Males, Elia, Monteiro; Ganvoula.
Key Match Facts:
- Both teams are looking for their first Champions League victory of the season.
- FC Barcelona boasts an impressive stat: when they lead 1-0 at home, they win 84% of their matches.
- Young Boys struggle when trailing 1-0 away, winning only 7% of the time.
Match Prediction:
Despite their injury concerns, FC Barcelona’s depth and form give them the edge in this matchup. Young Boys, though capable of creating moments of danger, are likely to find it tough to keep up with Barcelona’s pace, especially on their home turf.
Prediction: FC Barcelona 2-1 Young Boys
Where to Watch:
- India: Sony Sports Network, SonyLiv
- UK: Amazon Prime Video, Discovery+
