In a midweek contest at Camp Nou, football fans will be treated to a top-class friendly as Barcelona play host to Manchester City on Wednesday.
The encounter was organised to raise funds for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis research after ex-Barceloan goalkeeper Juan Carlos Unzue, who previously worked under current City manager Pep Guardiola, was diagnosed with the disease.
Following a disappointing start to their La Liga campaign, drawing Rayo Vallecano 0-0, Barcelona’s new-look attack took out their frustrations on Real Sociedad this weekend, winning 4-1 to end a four-game domestic drought without a goal or victory dating back to last season.
In a short period of time, Xavi has proven to be a practical manager since his return to Barcelona, a club he helped claim eight Spanish league titles as a player, three with Guardiola as his coach.
Even though Barca have their share of star players who have generated a lot of excitement amongst their fans, this is a team with a solid young crop of talent who should be able to learn a lot from the veterans who have entered the fray.
Manchester City find themselves near the top of the table in the early stages of the new Premier League campaign, unbeaten in their opening three matches, level with league leaders Arsenal in terms of goals scored (9).
Having collected seven points so far, it is actually their best start to a Premier League campaign since 2019-20, when they obtained the same amount of points from their opening three matches but wound up second at the end of the season to Liverpool.
Guardiola has hinted that he will use players that need more game minutes this season when he returns to Catalonia to face the team he guided to two Champions League trophies as a manager, while also winning one as a player.
Barcelona vs Manchester City head to head
They two teams have previously met on seven occasions in a friendly and the Champions League, where Barcelona have claimed five victories while Manchester City have won two. Barcelona have scored 12 goals and conceded six in the process. In their last meeting, Manchester City claimed a 3-1 home win.
Barcelona 2-1 Manchester City 12/03/14
Manchester City 1-2 Barcelona 24/02/15
Barcelona 1-0 Manchester City 18/03/15
Barcelona 4-0 Manchester City 19/10/16
Manchester City 3-1 Barcelona 01/11/16
Barcelona latest home form
Barcelona have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having lost just one of their five most recent matches. They drew 0-0 with Rayo Vallecano in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 11 goals and conceded five.
Barcelona 3-1 Celta Vigo 10/05/22
Barcelona 0-2 Villarreal 22/05/22
Barcelona 2-2 Juventus 27/07/22
Barcelona 6-0 Pumas UNAM 07/08/22
Barcelona 0-0 Rayo Vallecano 13/08/22
Barcelona latest away form
Barcelona have recently been on a good run of form on the road, having won each of their four most recent matches. They managed to defeat Real Sociedad 4-1 in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 14 goals and conceded just two.
Olot 1-1 Barcelona 13/07/22
Inter Miami 0-6 Barcelona 20/07/22
Real Madrid 0-1 Barcelona 24/07/22
New York RB 0-2 Barcelona 31/07/22
Real Sociedad 1-4 Barcelona 21/08/22
Manchester City latest home form
Manchester City have recently been on a good run of form at home, having won each of their seven most recent matches. They managed to defeat AFC Bournemouth 4-0 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 18 goals and conceded six.
Manchester City 4-3 Real Madrid 26/04/22
Manchester City 5-0 Newcastle United 08/05/22
Manchester City 3-2 Aston Villa 22/05/22
Manchester City 2-1 America 21/07/22
Manchester City 4-0 AFC Bournemouth 13/08/22
Manchester City latest away form
Manchester City have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having lost just one of their six most recent matches. They drew 3-3 with Newcastle United in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored nine goals and conceded eight.
West Ham United 2-2 Manchester City 15/05/22
Bayern Munich 0-1 Manchester City 24/07/22
Liverpool 3-1 Manchester City 30/07/22
West Ham United 0-2 Manchester City 07/08/22
Newcastle United 3-3 Manchester City 21/08/22
Barcelona news
Robert Lewandowski bagged a brace on Sunday, while Ousmane Dembele and Ansu Fati each picked up their first of the campaign, with the Barca number 10 also adding two assists.
Frenkie de Jong replaced the suspended Sergio Busquets in midfield, while former Man City forward Ferran Torres started in an attacking midfield role.
Manchester City news
Erling Haaland became the third player in EPL history to score in each of his first two away games, while Kevin De Bryune picked up his third assist of the season.
Ruben Dias replaced Nathan Ake after the Dutchman sustained an early injury against the Magpies, while Sergio Gomez was on the substitutes’ bench.
Prediction and Odds
Thewe are arguably two of the most talented European squads on paper but given that this game does not count for anything, we do not expect much effort from either side.
With high expectations both domestically and in Europe this season, we expect the sides to settle for a draw on Wednesday.
Odds: 1 2.23 X 2.05 2 2.28
Probable outcomes
Barcelona 0-0 Manchester City
Barcelona 1-1 Manchester City
Barcelona 2-2 Manchester City
Barcelona 1-0 Manchester City
Barcelona 2-1 Manchester City
