Tottenham face a crucial crunch clash against Barcelona in the final round of Champions League Group B fixtures on Tuesday night.
Spurs currently sit second in the group on seven points, joint with Inter Milan, who will lock horns with already-eliminated PSV at the San Siro.
Meanwhile, Barcelona have already guaranteed qualification and will top Group B having won four of their five matches, including a 4-2 away victory against the north London club two months ago.
Despite sitting above the Nerazzurri, Mauricio Pochettino will be under no illusions, knowing side will likely need to clinch three points at the Camp Nou, unless PSV can cause an upset in Italy.
Both matches will prove decisive, but only one of Inter Milan and Spurs can seal the final qualification spot. Who will it be?
Read on for Barcelona vs Spurs live stream options, team news, predicted XIs, stats, and TV channel info.
When is Barcelona vs Spurs?
Competition: Champions League
Venue: Camp Nou
Date: Tuesday 11th December
Kick-off: 8:00 PM GMT
Match Preview
Spurs have successfuly qualified for the Champions League knockout phases the previous two seasons, reaching the Round of 16 last term, and will therefore take confidence going into the match.
However, this is no ordinary match by any stretch of the imagination; Barca have formed a formidable reputation on home turf in Europe, winning 26 of their last 28 matches in Catalonia, while drawing just twice.
In fact, their last Champions League defeat at the Camp Nou came back in May 2013 as Bayern Munich humbled their Spanish counterparts 3-0 in the semi-finals of the competition.
The north London outfit will need to be at their best if they are to have any chance of securing victory at the Blaugrana’s immaculate sanctuary, but it can be done, Real Betis were 4-3 victors exactly a month ago in La Liga.
Pochettino will certainly be lamenting that last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Inter in their opening match, while a 2-2 draw against PSV in October has put their chances of qualification in serious jeopardy.
For Ernesto Valverde it is job done, having wrapped up Group B in the penultimate match, so far going unbeaten in the competition. With domestic issues at hand, he may be tempted to rotate with this weekend’s match in mind.
Victory for Inter Milan will put seismic pressure on Spurs, who must match the result of Luciano Spalletti’s side to reach the Round of 32.
Where can I watch live?
Barcelona vs Spurs can be viewed by UK residents on BT Sport 3 HD, channel 417 on Sky and channel 529 for Virgin Media users. BT Sport subscribers can also watch the game online at sport.bt.com and via their BT Sport app
The game is also available to watch on fuboTV for US-based viewers.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about fuboTV
Will Barcelona rest players?
With Barca already guaranteed top spot in Group B, Valverde may be thinking about the possibility of resting key players as he perhaps keeps one eye open on Sunday’s clash against Levante in La Liga.
The Spanish tactician has already omitted Luis Suarez from any possible involvement on Tuesday night as the Uruguayan marksman is currently suffering a minor knee injury, while it remains touch-and-go whether Lionel Messi will make an appearance in the fixture.
Valverde remained coy on Messi’s potential participation, telling reporters that he will “categorically” answer that particular question on the day of the match.
He did, however, reveal that his side want to “respect the competition” which may hint that there will not be too many changes from the Spanish champions’ starting XI.
Valverde stated: “Inter has nothing to fear. If they had drawn or won, they would have no problem. We have to look after ourselves. We will go out to win but we respect the competition and we want to win.”
Can Spurs spring a surprise?
Whether Barca rest players or not, this will be a monumental task for Pochettino such is the embarrassment of world class riches at the disposal of Valverde.
Coming away from the Camp Nou with a point is a commendable result for any team across the continent, but to come away with three points is almost unimaginable for most clubs who take to the hallowed Catalonian turf.
Pochettino understands the scale of the task, and while PSV could cause an upset and hold Inter at bay, the Spurs manager believes only a victory will be enough for his side to secure qualification.
“If we want to deserve qualification we have to win on Tuesday. The idea was to come to Barcelona already qualified,” Pochettino said.
“We are going to know what’s going on in Milan. It’s important to know what’s going on but focus on what we have to do.”
Spurs certainly boast an abundantly creative and attacking squad with the likes of Christian Eriksen, Son Heung-min and of course Harry Kane, but each player will need to be at their very best to overcome the five-time European champions.
Will Pochettino tinker with his defence?
Spurs will be without right-back duo Kieran Trippier and Serge Aurier, with both defenders remaining in north London after they suffered groin injuries respectively, meaning Pochettino will be forced to tinker with his defence.
Trippier made his first appearance in a month after featuring in the club’s 3-1 win against Southampton, but the England international was forced off through injury, while Aurier limped off in the 2-0 win against Leicester on Saturday.
This will likely mean Kyle Walker-Peters, who replaced Aurier at the King Power Stadium, will be given the nod, making his first appearance in the Champions League this season, and only his second ever.
Head To Head
These two sides have met just three times with Spurs yet to taste victory against Barca, losing 4-2 earlier this season, while their 1982 UEFA European Cup Winners Cup matches saw them lose 1-0 and draw 1-1.
Tottenham wins: 0
Draws: 1
Barcelona wins: 2
Team News
As mentioned, Spurs will have to compete without injured full-backs Serge Aurier and Kieran Trippier, which likely opens the door for a Champions League debut start for Kyle Walker-Peters, who signed a five-year deal this week.
Elsewhere Erik Lamela has been passed fit after it was feared the attacking midfielder would not make the trip, while Eriksen and Kane who started on the bench against the Foxes are expected to return to the first-team.
Davinson Sanchez, Victor Wanyama and Mousa Dembele remain absent for Tottenham.
Finally for Spurs, Juan Foyth, who has been in impressive form of late, is unavailable for the match as he was not registered for the club’s Champions League squad.
Suarez has been omitted from the squad and will have no involvement on Tuesday night, as Valverde chose to not risk his centre forward, while midfield maestro Arthur Melo could start.
Samuel Umtiti, Sergio Roberto and Rafinha all remain sidelined for Barca.
Predicted Barca XI: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Lenglet, Vermaelen, Alba; Coutinho, Busquets, Rakitic; Dembele, Munir, Messi.
Predicted Spurs XI: Lloris; Walker-Peters, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Winks, Dier, Son, Eriksen, Alli; Kane.
Squawka Prediction
Barca have shown vulnerabilities this season, already losing twice, including the aforementioned 4-3 defeat to Betis, so Pochettino will be heartened that this is not the ferocious force of last season.
With possible changes for Valverde, this will be a massive opportunity for Spurs to bring an end to Barca’s sensational home record in Europe, but even without the likes of Messi and Suarez, they are still a frightening proposition and a win seems too difficult a task. 1-1.
Predictions & Betting Tips
Get the BetBull sign-up offer HERE – Ts&Cs apply. +18 only. BeGambleAware.org
1. Barcelona vs Spurs to finish a draw @ 3/1
Spurs will be desperate to win this match, but they will be playing in one of world football’s toughest grounds. Barcelona have been impenetrable in Europe since 2013 and will not lie down despite already qualifying.
There are question marks regarding the players Valverde will utilise, but they should have enough to avoid defeat.
Key stat: Barcelona are unbeaten at the Camp Nou in Europe since 2013.
Tip: Barcelona vs Spurs to finish a draw @ 3/1 with BetBull – Bet here
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.Org
Odds correct as of 23.00, 10/12/18
2. Both teams to score @ 4/9
Barcelona and Spurs have scored in all five of the matches they have played in Europe this season, the former finding the back of the net on 13 occasions, while Pochettino’s men have scored eight goals, so do not expect a goalless stalemate here.
As the match progresses Spurs will be throwing men forward, which could make for a very open and entertaining encounter.
Key stat: Only Manchester City (14) have scored more Champions League goals than Barcelona (13) this season.
Tip: Both teams to score @ 4/9 with BetBull – Bet here
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.Org
Odds correct as of 23.00, 10/12/18
3. Spurs to score in first-half @ 10/11
Pochettino is a tactically astute manager and will not go gung-ho from the off, so expect a battle of whit in the opening exchanges as the north London club will look to grow into the match.
Spurs have, in fact, only managed to find the back of the net once in the first-half during their European campaign this season, scoring their last three goals against Inter and PSV respectively in the final 15 minutes.
Key stat: Of Spurs’ eight Champions League goals, seven have come in the second-half this season.
Tip: Spurs to score in first-half @ 10/11 with BetBull – Bet here
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.Org
Odds correct as of 23.00, 10/12/18
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