Feyenoord have been leaking goals which could be a problem against a rampant Barcelona side. I don’t see how the Dutch side can compete with the La Liga champions, a big home win expected in Spain.
Key Stats
- Barcelona have won by 3+ goals in 3 of their last 4 matches.
- Feyenoord have conceded 2 goals in 3 of their last 4 matches.
HTH
These clubs have twice, in the 1974-75 European Cup round of 16.
A 0-0 draw in Rotterdam was followed by Barcelona winning 3-0 at Camp Nou, Johan Cruyff assisting Carles Rexach in all three goals.
Barcelona on Fire
Barcelona are on fire this season, winning four straight games with 17 goals scored. Raphinha and Fermín López scored twice in a dominant 5-0 win at Elche.
Raphinha continued in the striker role and netted the first goal in a 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao. He scored another two goals as Barca thrashed Rayo Vallecano 5-2, Lamine Yamal bagging a brace of his own.
The Catalan club are coming off a 5-0 win at Valencia where they had 74% possession, 25-3 shots and 4.08-0.66 xG. Yamal scored twice and Raphinha found the net again, Fermín López registering a goal and two assists.
Hansi Flick was not completely satisfied: “I don't know if it's necessary to say this after we won 5-0, but we need to try to control the match better. There are many matches, and you always have to manage your energy.”
Defensive Issues for Feyenoord
Feyenoord are unbeaten under Giovanni van Bronckhorst but haven’t kept a clean sheet since an opening day 1-0 win at Sparta Rotterdam.
A 5-2 win at Cambuur came either side of 2-2 draws against Go Ahead Eagles and De Haag, highlighting their issues at the back.
Gjivai Zechiel was man of the match in a 3-1 win at NEC Nijmegen on Saturday. The midfielder registered a goal and two assists, 17-year-old Jerayno Schaken coming off the bench to score his first Eredivisie goal.
Predicted Lineups & Team News
Barcelona (4-2-3-1) Joan Garcia; Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Xavi Espart; Marc Bernal, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Anthony Gordon; Raphinha
Eric García is suspended with Jules Koundé to start at right-back. Alejandro Balde is a chance to replace Xavi Espart at left-back.
Frenkie de Jong is out until November as he recovers from a serious knee injury. Swedish winger Roony Bardghji is gone for the season.
Rodri started in Valencia and may make way for Marc Bernal.
Feyenoord (4-3-3) Tjark Ernst; Givairo Read, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Mika Mármol, Javi López; Oussama Targhalline, Gjivai Zechiel, Charles Vanhoutte; Anis Hadj Moussa, Nacho Ferri, Luciano Valente
Centre-back has broken leg with left-backs Jordan Bos and Gijs Smal both injured. Midfielder Jakub Moder is out after undergoing knee surgery.
Javi López could start at left-back with Mika Mármol moving to central defence. Anis Hadj Moussa saw his move to Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad collapse and is a chance to come back into the starting side.