WEDNESDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER – 17:45 BST
🇪🇺 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – MATCHDAY ONE ⚽
FC BARCELONA VS. FEYENOORD
It’s a tremendously difficult start to the Champions League campaign for Feyenoord as they head to the Nou Camp to face FC Barcelona on Matchday One. With most games starring the world’s elite, it’s hard to find any value, but Will Burns is putting his faith in one man to give us a chance at some profit by full-time.
FC BARCELONA
Barcelona’s impressive start to the season has only heightened expectations ahead of this match with Feyenoord. Hansi Flick’s side have scored a massive 17 goals in just four matches, kept three clean sheets and conceded only twice, underlining the momentum they carry into Europe. Two of those sides were Valencia (5-0) and Athletic Bilbao (2-0) – both arguably as good as the Rotterdammers.
With two attack-minded teams set to meet, the stage is perfectly set for an entertaining night and the hosts will be looking to make a statement. The Champions League remains their ultimate objective. Despite consistently competing among Europe’s elite, the Catalans have endured years of disappointment in the competition. This season feels different.
Following a productive summer and an excellent start under Flick, there is growing belief that Barcelona have the quality and balance needed to compete for the biggest prize. The team’s defensive structure appears far more reliable than in previous campaigns, while the midfield has offered both control and stability.
Up front, Barcelona’s attacking unit has been ruthless, scoring freely despite operating without a traditional number nine. Anthony Gordon, is already a firm fan favourite with the fans, with four assists in four games, but the Scouser is still seeking his first goal in a Barcelona shirt. He netted an impressive ten times in last season’s competition, more than Lamine Yamal. Operating as Barcelona’s auxiliary striker, Raphinha has adapted seamlessly to his new responsibilities. The 29-year-old has been one of the team’s standouts so far this season, contributing six goals and an assist across four La Liga games.
They will be without first choice right-back Eric Garcia due to suspension carried over from last season and his absence leaves Flick with Jules Kounde as the most natural replacement. However, the Frenchman has produced mixed performances whenever deployed this season, however, his attacking contribution and link-up play with Yamal are seen as valuable assets, but his defensive lapses and occasional concentration issues raises concerns.
That could open the door for João Cancelo to feature on the right side of defence. With Xavi Espart impressing at left-back, Cancelo offers an experienced and attack-minded alternative who could suit Barcelona’s approach against Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men. Another possibility would be to hand Alejandro Balde his first start of the campaign at left-back, allowing Espart or Kounde to switch across to the opposite flank. Flick has many options at his disposal.
FEYENOORD
Gio van Bronckhorst’s side earned their route into the tournament by finishing second to PSV last season, but this competition is something else for them. Drawn alongside Inter Milan, FC Porto and Galatasaray, they face a demanding league stage challenge, and the trip to the Nou Camp presents obviously the most difficult test, although it is far from impossible. Feyenoord will need to remain organised and defensively disciplined to frustrate Barcelona’s potent attack and that will be their best hope.
Although they lost their top scorer Ayase Ueda for Lille on deadline day, they have enjoyed a solid beginning to the Eredivisie campaign, winning three and two draws, scoring 13 goals in the process. However, defensive vulnerabilities remain evident, with just one clean sheet recorded so far. The Ueda loss forced them to reshape their frontline with Nacho Ferri. The summer signing from Westerlo, was handed his first start against NEC and made an immediate impact, providing an assist and offering an encouraging glimpse of what he could bring to the team.
History does not offer the Rotterdammers much encouragement heading into their trip to Catalonia. The two sides have met only once before in European competition, with Barca drawing 0-0 in Rotterdam before securing a 3-0 victory in the second leg. What’s even more unnerving for the visitors is Barcelona’s formidable record against Dutch opposition at home, having never lost to a club from the Netherlands at the Nou Camp, recording six wins and three draws.
Yet, Feyenoord arrive in Spain with reasons for optimism of their own. While the Rotterdam club has dropped points at home against Go Ahead Eagles and ADO Den Haag, they have been flawless on the road in the Eredivisie, winning all three away fixtures.
ANALYSIS
That NEC victory I mentioned above, provided great evidence that Feyenoord can adapt their approach when required. Despite seeing just 38% possession, they were the more dangerous side, registering six shots on target compared to NEC’s two. The highly creative and dangeorus Gjivai Zechiël continued his impressive start to the campaign by scoring his fourth league goal before setting up strikes for Luciano Valente and debutant Jerayno Schaken.
That performance could serve as the blueprint against Barcelona. Feyenoord will not dominate possession at the Nou Camp, and making a compact defensive structure and quick transitions on the counter a far more realistic route to success. If they can absorb Barcelona’s early pressure and break forward efficiently, they might be able to trouble the hosts. Might.
PREDICTION
Trying to find value in this market felt like searching for a needle in a haystack, but one selection eventually caught my eye.
One thing I noticed was involved the young Dutch midfielder Gjivai Zechiël. Feyenoord’s 22-year-old academy graduate has enjoyed a superb start to the season, contributing four goals and three assists in his first five appearances. What stands out even more is his willingness to shoot from distance.
Zechiël has attempted seven shots from outside the box so far this campaign, scoring once and testing the goalkeeper with three others. That means four of his seven long-range efforts have hit the target, giving him an impressive 57% accuracy rate.
Flick’s side have shown a willingness to concede long-range shooting opportunities so far this season. Rayo Vallecano attempted four shots from outside the box, with one finding the target in Barça’s 5-2 victory. Athletic Bilbao managed two efforts from distance but failed to test the goalkeeper in a 2-0 Barcelona win, while Elche registered two long-range attempts, none of which were on target, during Barça’s 5-0 opening-day triumph.
Given that trend, there could be value in the 5.50 offered by Bet365 for Zechiël to register a shot on target from outside the penalty area.
| ⚽️ Gjivai Zechiël to have a shot on target outside the box 💷 0.75pt Best Odds: 5.50 at Bet365 |
If you joining me with these selections, good luck.
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