Barcelona will be looking to avoid an upset away at BATE Borisov in the Champions League's third matchday. Luis Enrique's Catalans head into the game as strong favorites, though they should be wary: the hosts have already demonstrated their banana-peel status by tripping up Roma last time out. Barcelona should have more than enough to win the game, but they could be punished for any complacency.
It hasn't been a perfect season for Barcelona so far, with their most shocking result being a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Celta de Vigo in La Liga. However, they've since recovered and a 5-2 win at home to Rayo Vallecano on the weekend sent them joint-top of the table. Domestic affairs have been rather more routine for BATE, who are already 23 games into the Belarusian top division. They're an emphatic 10 points clear of nearest rivals Dinamo Minsk having only lost one league game all season.
Key player: Neymar (Barcelona)
Barcelona have such an embarrassment of attacking riches that not even losing Lionel Messi and Andrés Iniesta is enough to significantly blunt their strike force. Though one could easily pick Luis Suárez, we've singled out Neymar for some praise after the Brazilian scored four of his side's five goals in their hammering of Rayo Vallecano over the weekend. He's a lethal attacking threat when he drifts inside off the left, and BATE are sure to find keeping him quiet a tough task.
Recent history
These sides have only met twice before, with both meetings coming in the group stages of the Champions League back in 2011. The Belarusians proved no match for the Catalans, losing the games by a combined aggregate scoreline of 9-0. Barcelona were eventually knocked out by Chelsea in the semifinals with the English club going on to beat Bayern on penalties in the final.
BATE injuries and suspensions
Out: Vitali Rodionov (knee). In doubt: None.
Barcelona injuries and suspensions
Out: Rafinha, Lionel Messi (knee). In doubt: Andrés Iniesta (hamstring).
Striker Rodionov is BATE's only confirmed absentee, though he will certainly be missed. With 19 career goals in UEFA competition, he's by far and away his side's most proven goalscorer in Europe.
Barcelona, meanwhile, will still be without the long-term injured duo comprised of Rafinha and Messi, while this game will likely come too soon for Iniesta to make his return from an injury sustained in the last Champions League matchday.
Match Date/Time: Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2:45 p.m. ET, 9:45 p.m. local
Venue: Borisov Arena, Borisov, Belarus
TV: Fox Sports regional networks (US - English), ESPN Deportes (US - Spanish), beIN Sports (Canada), BT Sport Extra (UK)
Online: Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer 2Go (US - English), Watch ESPN (US - Spanish), beIN Sports Connect (Canada), BT Sport Live Streaming (UK)