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NederlandThe European Champions will welcome Hoffenheim Women on Wednesday, with Barcelona Women looking to continue their 100% start to the season in all competitions.
The German side have the unenviable task of taking on the best team in Europe, and Hoffenheim will be aiming to bounce back after losing away to Arsenal on matchday two in the Women's Champions League.
Match preview
© Reuters
Despite a change of head coach in the summer, Barcelona have continued to sweep aside all challengers this season, having won every game this term.
They dispatched Arsenal in the group-stage opener, thumping the Gunners 4-1 before they travelled to Denmark on matchday two to face Koge.
The Danish side defended commendably and it took 62 minutes for Barcelona to break the deadlock, with Fridolina Rolfo grabbing the opener, and the visitors sealed the victory in stoppage time when Jennifer Hermoso scored from the spot.
Jonatan Giraldez's side prepared for the Hoffenheim encounter with a 3-0 win against Eibar at the weekend, thanks to goals from Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic, Asisat Oshoala and Hermoso.
Wednesday's hosts will be confident of victory, considering that they have scored an eye-watering 60 goals this season, and have only conceded twice.
Hoffenheim had to overcome Valur, AC Milan and Rosengard in the qualification stages of the Champions League to reach the group stage.
The German side opened the group stage with a resounding 5-0 victory over Koge, but they were brought back down to earth on matchday two when they travelled to England to face Arsenal.
Gabor Gallai's side suffered a disappointing 4-0 defeat in North London and since that game, they have collected consecutive league victories, although they were knocked out of the DFB Pokal by Bayer Leverkusen.
Hoffenheim warmed up for the Barcelona clash with a 5-1 away victory against Carl Zeiss Jena at the weekend, courtesy of a Nicole Billa brace and a goal apiece for Jule Brand, Anne Fuhner and Vanessa Leimenstoll, but Gallai will be aware that his side faces a much tougher test on Wednesday.
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Team News
Leila Ouahabi came into the starting lineup to face Eibar, and the left-back is expected to keep her place in the side for Wednesday.
It is also expected that Oshoala will lead the line, with the Nigerian international looking to add to the 12 goals she has scored this season.
Star midfielder Alexia Putellas was rested at the weekend, but she will come into the starting lineup for the Hoffenheim encounter.
Billa will be aiming to breach the solid Barcelona defence, with the Hoffenheim forward in fine goal-scoring touch having scored six goals in her last six club games.
Hoffenheim will be looking to one of Germany's rising stars to create the chances, with Brand set to play a key role for the German side.
Barcelona Women possible starting lineup:
Panos; Torrejon, Paredes, Leon, Ouahabi; Putellas, Gutierrez, Torrejon; Hansen, Martens Oshoala
Hoffenheim Women possible starting lineup:
Tufekovic; Wienroither, Feldkamp, Specht, Naschenweng; Linder, Dongus, Hagel, Brand; De Caigny, Billa
We say: Barcelona Women 4-0 Hoffenheim Women
Hoffenheim possess quality in their ranks, but it pales in comparison to the squad of Barcelona, and we think the reigning European champions will ease past their German opponents.
