Borussia Dortmund vs Barcelona
Champions League 2019/20 season
Venue: Signal Iduna Park
Date: Tuesday 17th September, 2019
Kick-off time: 8pm BST
Team News
Alcacer, who has scored 10 goals in eight games for club and country this season, will lead the Dortmund line against the club he represented between 2016 and 2019.
Axel Witsel came through 78 minutes against Leverkusen after recovering from an adductor injury, and the experienced midfielder is expected to get a nod on Tuesday night.
Manuel Akanji also came through the Leverkusen match despite an ankle injury on international duty, which means that the center back must make XI.
Jadon Sancho also has a good start to the season for BVB and England, and the best-selling 19-year-old is expected to start in three behind Alcacer, who will also include Reus.
Thorgan Hazard and Julian Weigl are both pushing for a point in the starting XI, although the pair may have to settle for a position on the bench.
As for Barca, Messi might not be available. The Argentine can travel well to Germany with his team-mates, although a place in the starting XI seems almost impossible because he hasn't played a minute this season.
However, Suarez is expected to start rising from the bench against Valencia, and there will also be a place in the final third for Antoine Griezmann.
Carles Perez has grown to be a key player for Valverde at the start of the season, and the striker can be given a nod over Fati, even though the 16-year-old enjoyed a brilliant start to the campaign.
Valverde also has a decision to be made in midfield with Sergi Roberto, Arthur, Ivan Rakitic and Arturo Vidal fighting for positions with Frenkie de Jong and Sergio Busquets in the middle of the park.
However, there have been no changes in the past, with Nelson Semedo maintaining his position at right-back after going through 90 minutes against Valencia despite slight ankle complaints.
Borussia Dortmund possible initial lineup:
Burki; Hakimi, Akanji, Hummels, Guerreiro; Delaney, Witsel; Brandt, Reus, Sancho; Alcacer
Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; De Jong, Busquets, Roberto; Griezmann, L Suarez, Perez
Prediction: Dortmund 1-2 Barcelona
Even without Messi, Barca showed their true class to put five past Valencia at the weekend and with Fati performing superbly, the Catalans would love to bring home these three points to Catalonia.
This won't be an easy trip at Signal Iduna Park, with Dortmund scoring nine goals in two matches against Augsburg and Bayer Leverkusen at home this season and former striker Paco Alcacer in hot form.
Barca tend to thrive on counterattacks and it can play to their advantage with Dortmund who want to control possession.
