Barcelona will host Manchester United in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League knockout fixture hoping to extend their winning streak.
Barca are top of La Liga, eight points ahead of Real Madrid, and have won their last 11 games prior to this encounter.
Man United on the other hand are third on the English Premier League table, five points less than leaders Manchester City and Arsenal.
United finished second in Group E with 13 points, level with Real Sociedad who boasted a better goal difference.
Barcelona entered the Europa League knockout rounds for the second successive season after they could only finish third in their Champions League group.
Xavi’s side have only lost once at home in 14 games – a 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
United will be conscious of the fact that they have lost all 4 prior meetings with Barcelona and this will be an uphill task for Erik Ten Hag’s side.
Though United have lost just four of their 16 away matches in all tournaments this season and come into this game unbeaten in their last six games.
United have also won their last five games in European competitions – their longest run of victories in such matches since the 1965-66 season.
Barca will rely on Robert Lewandowski who has scored 45 goals in his last 37 games in Europe and has scored 9 goals in his last 3 games against English teams.
Will Barcelona make it 12 straight wins when they battle it out against Man United on Thursday night? Click here to place your bet on this game.
What time does Barcelona vs Man United start?
The game kicks off at 8:45pm Kenyan time at the Camp Nou.
Barcelona vs Man United team news
Jules Kounde will start in defense as well as Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araujo and Marcos Alonso.
Ousmane Dembele and Sergio Busquets are both injured and will sit this one out with Gavi, Pedri and Franck Kessie starting in midfield.
Lewandowski will lead the attacking line as he seeks to extend his exemplary scoring record in Europe.
For the visitors, the line-up is unlikely to change from their weekend win at Leeds United with Luke Shaw set to retain his centre back role.
Wout Weghorst will start up front but the goals will most likely come from top scorer Marcus Rashford.
Barcelona vs Man United head to head
Barcelona have a good record against their opponents on the European front and have won 6 out of the 13 matches played between the two teams, as opposed to Man United’s 3 victories.
Barcelona vs Man United current form
The home team have won all of their last 5 games, while United have only dropped points in a draw, winning the remaining 4 games.
Barcelona vs Man United prediction
Both teams are in top form ahead of this fixture and it sets this up to be an explosive encounter with goals from each team.
Though Barcelona are tipped as favorites to win the first leg.