Tottenham v Barcelona
Wednesday, 20:00
Live on BT Sport 2
Tottenham claimed memorable victories over both eventual champions Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley during last season's Champions League group stage. On Wednesday night, they will look to add Barcelona to their list of scalps.
Unfortunately for Spurs, this game does not come in the middle of a golden run of form. Last autumn Mauricio Pochettino's men were flying with their victory over Dortmund part of an unbeaten run of 11. That said, their win over Real came on the back of two consecutive defeats.
Twelve months on and Spurs have just come out of a slump of three defeats in a row with away wins at Brighton and Huddersfield in the Premier League being just what the doctor ordered.

Barca vulnerable?

Clearly facing Barca is taking things up a level, although the Catalans are hardly in top gear themselves. In fact, it's easy to say they look vulnerable.
Ernesto Valverde's side have gone three La Liga games without a win since beating PSV Eindhoven 4-0 on matchday one of this competition. The opposition in those contests? Girona, Leganes and Athletic Bilbao.
Throw in the fact that they will be without two of their first-choice back four - Samuel Umtiti(suspended) and Sergi Roberto (injured) - and initial thoughts of the visitors being value at a shade of odds-against to win the game2.12 to be specific, begin to evaporate.
For those still prepared to push that particular button, make sure you know that Barca have won just one of their last seven away games in the Champions League.

Draw tempting

Tottenham, who will be without Dele Alli as he continues to struggle with a hamstring problem, haven't convinced enough to warrant support at 3.55. After all, while they may be encouraged by the makeshift nature of Barca's backline, they will still have to deal with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho at the other end of the pitch.
The draw is arguably the most tempting of the prices at 3.95, particularly as it would largely suit both given their current circumstances, but turning to the sub-markets and indeed the goals ones looks a better route to profit.
Barca can be fully expected to score - they usually do. They've only failed to find the net once in their last 29 games, that instance being their Champions League quarter-final defeat to Roma.
And with their defence both low on confidence having conceded five times in those three domestic games and missing key men, it looks likely to be a struggle to keep the likes of Harry Kane, Son Heung-Min and Lucas Moura quiet, not to mention Christian Eriksen who should be back following a stomach injury.

Going for goals

Over 2.5 goals is offered at 1.61. That's landed in eight of Spurs' nine games and seven of Barca's nine this season.
However, given what I've said about the strengths and weakness of Barcelona right now, slight preference is for Both Teams to Score at a slightly shorter 1.55.
Tottenham's recent run of scoring in games is even more impressive than Barca's - it's one shut-out in 46, that also coming in highly unexpected circumstances, away to West Brom towards the end of last season.
This season BTTS has landed in seven of Spurs' nine games and six of Barca's, including their last three.
Given the stats, even 1.55 looks a spot of value.

Dembele offers value

In the Anytime Goalscorer market, Ousmane Dembele could be the man to provide such value. With usual suspects Messi (4/6), Suarez (10/11) and Kane (evens) towards the head of the betting, the French international may have been overlooked somewhat.
He's netted in five of his nine Barca games this season, including a superb strike against PSV two weeks ago. Only Messi in this team has more but Demeble is offered at 23/10, a price which looks wrong given his current form and position on the left of the visitors' attack.

Same Game Multi

With goals expected, how about Messi, Kane and Demeble all to score at 13.8? Messi and Kane are clearly the most likely scorers for their respective sides, while the case has been made for Dembele above.
RECOMMENDED BETS
2pts Back Both Teams To Score at 1.55

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