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Ferencvaros
Champions League | Group Stage
Dec 2, 2020 at 8pm UK
Groupama Aréna
Barcelona logo

Ferencvaros
0 - 3
Barcelona


Siger (28')
FT(HT: 0-3)
Griezmann (14'), Braithwaite (20'), Dembele (28' pen.)
Busquets (30'), Griezmann (53'), Trincao (70')

Preview: Ferencvaros vs. Barcelona - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Champions League clash between Ferencvaros and Barcelona, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Ferencvaros will be looking to pull off a monumental shock when they welcome Barcelona to the Puskas Arena for Wednesday's Champions League encounter.

The Hungarian outfit are still without a win in Group G, whereas Barcelona have already secured their place in the last 16 as they sit atop the rankings heading into the penultimate matchweek in the group stage.


Match preview

Ferencvaros manager Sergei Rebrov pictured during his time in charge of Dynamo Kiev in 2015© Reuters

Ferencvaros were never expected to defy the odds and pip one of Barcelona or Juventus to a qualifying berth, with Sergiy Rebrov's side managing to take a solitary point from their opening four games in Group H.

The Hungarian side managed to hold Dynamo Kiev to a pulsating four-goal draw last month, but Ferencvaros have been put to the sword by Juventus twice and were thrashed on Barcelona's turf 5-1 by the Catalan giants back in October.

Only Red Bull Salzburg (14) have shipped more goals in the group stage of Europe's elite competition this season than Ferencvaros (13) so far, but their continental campaign may not be done and dusted just yet as Rebrov's men can still make the Europa League.

Indeed, Kiev are only ahead of Ferencvaros on head-to-head away goals, and with both sides expected to succumb to defeat against two European powerhouses on Wednesday, next week's showdown in Ukraine is likely to be make or break for Kiev and Ferencvaros, whose Champions League dreams are already in tatters.

Despite their troubles in Europe, Ferencvaros marched to their third league win in a row at the weekend as they overcame MTK Budapest with ease by two goals to nil, with Rebrov's men still unbeaten as they top the rankings in Hungary's top division.

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman pictured in October 2020© Reuters

A day of spectacular goals at Camp Nou saw Barcelona ease to a convincing 4-0 victory over Osasuna on a particularly emotional occasion for Lionel Messi.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner rifled in his side's fourth in the second half before revealing a Newell's Old Boys jersey boasting the famous "10" - a tribute to the late Diego Maradona and a club that has seen the two of the greatest players to ever kick a football pass through their doors.

Antoine Griezmann rivalled Messi for the goal of the day as his unstoppable volley left Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera rooted to the spot, while Martin Braithwaite and Philippe Coutinho also found the back of the net in a much-needed win for Ronald Koeman.

La Blaugrana have not given the best account of themselves in La Liga, but Koeman's side are four for four in the 2020-21 Champions League and their place in the last 16 is already guaranteed, but Juventus could still pip Barca to top spot as the Italian giants sit three points adrift of the Group H leaders.

Koeman could opt to name some big-rest players for the long journey to the Puskas Arena, and after witnessing a youthful side thrash Kiev 4-0 last week, the Dutchman will certainly not hesitate to shuffle the pack after his injury crisis worsened at the weekend.

Ferencvaros Champions League form: DDLDLL
Ferencvaros form (all competitions): LWWWLW

Barcelona Champions League form: WWWW
Barcelona form (all competitions): DWWLWW


Team News

Barcelona's Clement Lenglet goes down injured against Osasuna in La Liga on November 29, 2020© Reuters

Ferencvaros only have one injury concern to contend with in the form of Eldar Civic, meaning that Marcel Heister should retain his spot at left-back.

Endre Botka was a worry on the other side of defence having been forced to self-isolate earlier this month, but the 26-year-old is ready to start in what promises to be a daunting night for the Ferencvaros rearguard.

Somalia and David Siger should come back into the hosts' midfield, while Roko Baturina staked his claim for a starting role at the weekend - doubling his side's lead just seconds after coming off the bench against MTK.

Barcelona are already without three central defenders in Samuel Umtiti, Gerard Pique and Ronald Araujo, and Koeman had to witness the sombre sight of Clement Lenglet hobbling off with an ankle problem, which is likely to rule him out of this encounter despite his inclusion in the matchday squad.

Oscar Mingueza is certain to start once more given Koeman's defensive dilemma, and in the absence of his other four centre-backs, Koeman could deploy Sergio Busquets - who has only just returned to action himself - alongside Mingueza.

Messi was rested for last week's encounter with Kiev and that is the case again here, with Junior Firpo, Miralem Pjanic, Trincao and Ousmane Dembele all hoping to be given an opportunity to impress.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Coutinho have not been included in the squad for this game either, with the former's absence guaranteeing a start for Neto in between the sticks.

Ferencvaros possible starting lineup:
Dibusz; Botka, Frimpong, Blazic, Kovacevic, Heister; Zubkov, Somalia, Siger, Nguen; Baturina

Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Neto; Dest, Busquets, Mingueza, Firpo; Pjanic, Alena; Trincao, Griezmann, Dembele; Braithwaite


SM words green background

We say: Ferencvaros 1-4 Barcelona

Ferencvaros can certainly afford to feel optimistic about their chances of notching up at least one goal against a ravaged Barcelona defence, but the Blaugrana's quality in the final third will certainly show, and the Catalan giants should march to a straightforward victory to maintain their position at the top of Group G before a crunch match with Juventus next week.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Away Win:data


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Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Barcelona win with a probability of 55.67%. A draw had a probability of 26.2% and a win for Ferencvaros had a probability of 18.18%.

The most likely scoreline for a Barcelona win was 0-1 with a probability of 16.1%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 0-2 (12.08%) and 1-2 (8.84%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (11.77%), while for a Ferencvaros win it was 1-0 (7.84%). The actual scoreline of 0-3 was predicted with a 6.1% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Barcelona would win this match.


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Group H

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