Barcelona vs. AC Milan: Prediction, Team News and Key Battles

AC Milan have yet to win on their travels this season, and their record away from home is unlikely to get much better with a daunting trip to Camp Nou on Wednesday.

The clash pits the top two sides in Group H together, and while both Barca and Milan are expected to advance, the latter will be wary of Celtic, who sit two points back in third place.

The Rossoneri have struggled for form this season and they currently languish 11th in Serie A. Their 12 points from their opening 11 matches represents their worst start to the league in 31 years—per Sky Sports. 

Barcelona, on the other hand, have been flying high in both La Liga and the Champions League. The Catalan side are unbeaten in 17 games under new boss Gerardo Martino—per UEFA—and a victory this week would all but assure them of qualification to the knockout stages.

Date, time	Home	vs.	Away	Prediction
Nov. 6, 7;45 p.m. GMT	Barcelona	vs.	AC Milan	Barca win, 2-1

AC Milan will be without the services of Giampaolo Pazzini and striker Stephan El Shaarawy, who failed to recover from injury in time. The Italian side will, however, be boosted by the return of defender Philippe Mexes, who was suspended for Milan’s last four league games after punching Giorgio Chiellini.

Per Sky Sports, Kaka is expected to join Mario Balotelli and Valter Birsa in attack.

Alexis Sanchez should be rewarded for his fine start to the season with a spot on the right-hand side of Barcelona’s attack, along side Lionel Messi and Neymar. The Chilean forward has scored seven goals in nine league games, including last week’s winner against Espanyol in the Catalan derby.

The personnel in Barcelona’s back four is less clear-cut. The only player to start the last two games in defense was Dani Alves. Carles Puyol, Marc Bartra and Adriano played in the 3-0 victory over Celta Vigo, but they were replaced by Gerard Pique, Javier Mascherano and Martin Montoya for the visit of Espanyol.

AC Milan have developed a reputation down the years as a team that is difficult to break down. But they have conceded 19 goals in their 11 league games this season, and they will struggle to contain Barca’s free-flowing attack.

Key Battles

Nigel de Jong vs. Lionel Messi

If AC Milan are to get a result at Camp Nou, much of it will be down to the performance of de Jong in midfield.

The former Manchester City man will need to position himself in front of the Milan back four, right around the spot that Messi likes to collect the ball and turn. If he can stifle the threat there, he will relieve some of the pressure on his defenders, who will already have their hands full with Neymar and Alexis Sanchez.

Based on the incredibly high bar he has set himself, Messi hasn’t looked his sharpest this season. He has failed to score in his last four league games, and he has begun to drop deeper in order to get more involved in the action.

The Argentine can impact the play from anywhere on the field, but if de Jong can keep him deep then he will have a better chance of stopping him.

Mario Balotelli vs. Barcelona’s Centre Backs

Balotelli has had a difficult start to the season, but he loves the big occasion, and they don’t come much bigger than a trip to Camp Nou.

The Italian has scored three goals from 40 shots in Serie A this season—per ESPN—and he will need to be less wasteful in front of a goal if his team are to come away with anything from the game.

It is not yet known who will be tasked with stopping Balotelli, but Puyol could be Barca’s best option. The Spaniard has only played two league games this season, but he has experience on his side, and that is often the best attribute to counteract youthful exuberance.

Puyol is patient and he rarely dives into tackles. He has the ability—both mentally and physically—to frustrate Balotelli.

If the young Italian can keep his head then he could have a positive influence on the proceedings. But that is a big "if."

Neymar vs. Ignazio Abate

Abate will have his work cut out for him on Wednesday night against the in-form Neymar.

The young Brazilian has adapted well to life in Spain and he has played a direct role in a hefty portion of Barca’s goals this season.

The 21-year-old has netted four times in all competitions for his new club, but most impressive is his assist tally, which sits at eight in 11 games.

Neymar tends to pick the ball up on the left wing before cutting inside where he has the space to set his teammates free. If Abate can keep the talented youngster out on the touchline, he will limit his impact on the game.