Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Champions League match.
Barcelona's setback against Osasuna (2:4) exposed some of their vulnerabilities, particularly amid a squad shortage. These issues could impact the Catalan side's performance in the Champions League, but they should comfortably handle Young Boys—the Swiss side is unlikely to pose a significant threat, and Barcelona are expected to win based on their superior quality.
Barcelona
Since the arrival of their German manager, Barcelona have adopted an active style of play, allowing opponents to create chances as well (8 out of 9 matches have seen the total over 2.5 this season). In terms of xG, the team is leading La Liga by a considerable margin (22.11 xG) and were the first to reach 25 goals (no other team has even 20). Against Osasuna, Lamine Yamal delivered another decisive performance—he has 4+1 in 5 matches since the international break.
Young Boys
In the latter half of September, Young Boys started to struggle again, suffering two defeats in three games after a previous unbeaten run of seven matches. They conceded 2.26 xGA and faced 20 shots from Aston Villa (0:3), and the attacking pressure from their upcoming opponent will be even greater.
Barcelona vs Young Boys Prediction
The defeat to AS Monaco (1:2) with Eric Garcia's early red card should serve as strong motivation for Barcelona in the second round of the Champions League. Young Boys had a poor start to the tournament, and their defensive lapses are unlikely to be corrected in Catalonia, making a bet on the home side's individual total a solid choice.
