Slavia Prague vs Barcelona preview, prediction, team news, and head-to-head

Barcelona currently sit 15th in the new league-phase standings, just two points behind eighth-placed Atletico Madrid.

Slavia Prague are languishing in 33rd place, and any result other than a win will make it impossible for them to qualify for the knockout stages.

Slavia Prague enter this crucial European fixture having not played a competitive match in over a month.

Their last official game was a 4-3 domestic league victory over Jablonec on December 13, before the Czech league's winter break commenced.

Since then, Jindřich Trpisovsky's side has played a series of friendlies against Basel, Karlsruher, and Brann. However, this far-from-ideal preparation compounds what has been a difficult Champions League campaign.

The Red and Whites are winless in the competition, with three draws and three losses leaving them with just three points and four points adrift of a playoff spot.

Meanwhile, Barcelona come into this match with a mixed European record of three wins, one draw, and two losses. With 10 points, Hansi Flick's team is in 15th place, making this a vital fixture in their quest for a top-eight finish, which would secure a direct path to the round of 16.

The La Liga champions are aiming to bounce back from a surprising 2-1 domestic loss to Real Sociedad on Sunday, a result that has narrowed their lead over Real Madrid at the top of the table to a single point.

Barcelona are unbeaten across two previous H2Hs (W1, D1), winning 2-1 here in 2019/20. Slavia have only ever won one game against Spanish opponents in major European competition (D7, L6), while Barcelona have won seven of their eight UCL games against Czech sides (D1).

Slavia Prague have a relatively clean bill of health, with no new injury concerns following their extended break.

Meanwhile, Barcelona will be without the suspended Lamine Yamal, who received a booking in their last Champions League fixture against Eintracht Frankfurt.

The injury list includes Gavi and Andreas Christensen, both sidelined with knee issues. Raphinha is also a doubt after a thigh problem kept him out of the weekend's league match.

Slavia Prague: Stanek; Holes, Chaloupek, Ogbu, Zima; Doudera, Moses, Provod, Sadilek, Sanyang; Chytil

Barcelona: Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsi, E Garcia, Balde; Pedri, De Jong; Fermin, Raphinha, Rashford; F Torres

Given Slavia Prague's struggles in the Champions League this season, an upset seems highly unlikely. Most bookies, including Livescorebet, place Barcelona as clear favourites. Expect Barcelona to bounce back with a win here.

Full-time prediction on LiveScore Bet: Slavia Prague 0-3 Barcelona

• Barcelona to win

• Over 2.5 goals