Pre-season friendly preview and odds: Liverpool vs Barcelona

Pre-season friendly preview and odds: Liverpool vs Barcelona

August 06, 2016 17:15am - Wembley Stadium, London

International Champions Cup

A crowd of around 90,000 are expected at Wembley on Saturday evening as Premier League side Liverpool take on a Barcelona that could include former Reds` players Luis Suarez and Javier Mascherano in the International Champions Cup.

Reds expected to field strongest XI

A strong Liverpool XI is expected to line up at Wembley on Saturday when Jurgen Klopp`s men will test themselves against one of the best teams on the planet. Neymar may be missing for the reigning Spanish champions but Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi are likely to play some part in the showpiece friendly in London.

The Reds could also be reunited to former fans` favourite Javier Mascherano who has gone on to become one of Barca`s most important players since making the move from Merseyside to Catalonia back in 2010.

New signings Sadio Mané and Georginio Wijnaldum are likely to start for the Premier League side as they conclude their preparations for the new season just over a week away. Their opening game will see them return to London for a tricky game against last season`s runners-up Arsenal.

Luis Enrique`s team have already faced Premier League opposition this week, having disposed of champions Leicester City 4-2 in mid-week. They will arrive in London on the back of eight-straight wins with the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup just eight days away. However, with just two pre-season games under their belt, they may be lacking in fitness when compared to their English opponents who have already played seven friendly matches this summer.

Team news

Luis Suarez has scored 84 goals in 96 appearance for the Catalans and will be keen to line up against his old teammates. Lionel Messi is also set to make an appearance as Barça continue their preparations for the Spanish Super Cup clash against Sevilla. Munir has done a great job of filling in for the absent Neymar and should feature once again.

Confirmed 23-man Barcelona squad: Ter Stegen, Bravo, Masip, Douglas, Piqué, Rakitic, Sergio, Arda, Iniesta, Suárez, Messi, Mascherano, Munir, Sergi Roberto, Aleix Vidal, Vermaelen, Mathieu, Denis, Samper, Digne, Cámara, Mujica and Alfaro.

The Reds will be without injured goalkeeper Loris Karius so Simon Mignolet is likely to return between the sticks as Klopp looks set to field a strong team against the Spanish giants.

Recent form (All competitions)

Liverpool: LWLWW

Barcelona: WWWWW

Betting odds and tips

Liverpool have lost two of their last three friendly matches but they will be coming into this game much fitter than their rivals and are likely to field their strongest available line-up.

Barcelona have conceded goals to Celtic and Leicester in their last two games and both teams can be expected to get on the score sheet once again on Saturday.

You can back Barcelona to win and Both Teams to Score at 2/1 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Go To bet365

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Liverpool v Barcelona Live Betting Odds - Elite Club Friendlies

Home Win	17/4
Draw	3/1
Away Win	3/5

05/08/2016     © Frixo 2024