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Barcelona vs. Bate: Complete Preview, Live Stream, Start Time and Schedule

Nicholas GossDec 2, 2011

Barcelona look to follow their impressive 3-2 win over AC Milan with another UEFA Champions League victory against BATE Borisov, who are at the bottom of Group H.

The defending European champions lead the group with 13 points, while BATE sit in the cellar with just two points.

With an important matchup against La Liga rivals Real Madrid on Dec. 10 and a place in the knockout stage of the Champions League secured, expect Barcelona to not play their best 11 against BATE.

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With that said, Barcelona must be playing good football leading up to their match in Madrid, and that includes making sure they play very good football against BATE.

Let's look at everything you need to know about these two club's final game of Group H qualifying.

Where: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain

Watch: Fox Deportes

Live Stream: foxsoccer.tv

When: Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 2:45 p.m. EST

Player to Watch for Barcelona: Lionel Messi

Barcelona superstar forward Lionel Messi has six goals in the Champions League this season, which is tied for first with Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez.

Messi will dominate the BATE defense, who have no one remotely capable of slowing him down. BATE has allowed 10 goals this season in the Champions League, which is tied for the fourth most of any team in the competition.

Expect a Messi hat trick on Tuesday.

Player to Watch for BATE: Renan Bressan

BATE midfielder Renan Bressan has scored the club's only two goals in the entire competition and is the only player capable of causing Barcelona any problems in the final third.

If he does not set up quality scoring chances for his teammates or create his own offense, BATE will be in huge trouble Tuesday.

Key Matchup: Barcelona Midfield vs. BATE Midfield

Barcelona wins game in the midfield with world-class talents like Xavi and Andres Iniesta, but even substitutes like Thiago and Seydou Keita can play very well against the world's best clubs.

BATE will not be able to stop the Barcelona midfield from dominating possession and creating fantastic scoring opportunities in the final third of the pitch.

What They're Saying

While the matchup with their rivals Real Madrid is fast approaching, Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola isn't looking past BATE when deciding who will play against Madrid on Dec. 10.

He said the following via SoccerWay.

"Tomorrow after the game we will decide on the squad we want for the game against BATE Borisov," Guardiola said. "We will see after the game. I want to see them (the players) in tomorrow's game first."

"To see how it goes, see how the players look, how they have reacted. There are a lot of factors that will decide the squad."

Prediction: Barcelona Win 4-0

Barcelona will defeat BATE easily but they won't score an amazing amount of goals because they will dominate possession and not push themselves too hard with placement in the knockout stage secured and an important matchup with Real Madrid on the horizon.

Whoever Guardiola selects for to start against BATE will find it easy to win the game and close the book on a successful Group H campaign.

Mbappé's Rollercoaster Season 🎢

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