Champions League: Barcelona vs Ajax match preview

A look ahead to Tuesday’s Champions League Group F fixture at the Nou Camp

Lionel Messi will be among the players on show (Getty Images)

Former Camp Nou team mates Luis Enrique and Frank de Boer go head to head as Barcelona take on Ajax in Group E.

The two teams share a link much deeper than the current managers though, with a history that goes back to the likes of Rinus Michels and the great Johan Cruyff, despite only meeting for the first time last season at the same stage of the competition.

Ajax will be without winger Viktor Fischer, who has a hamstring problem, but mostly de Boer has a full squad to pick from, while Barcelona may rest a few big names with Saturday’s El Clasico on their minds.

The Catalan’s will look for all three points, to keep up with leaders PSG after the shock 3-2 defeat in Paris.

KICK-OFF: Tuesday, 7.45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS...

Ajax 2 (Serero, Hoesen) Barcelona 1 (Xavi), Champions League, November 2013

Barcelona 4 (Messi 3, Pique) Ajax 0, Champions League, September 2013

N/A

STATS...

Barcelona’s 3-2 defeat to Paris St German was the earliest they have lost in the Champions League since 2001.

The Catalans have never lost a Champions League home match to Dutch opposition, winning four and drawing three.

Ajax are without a win in their last eight away matches in the Champions League, stretching back to October 2011 when they beat GNK Dinamo Zagreb 2-0.

The last time Ajax won in Spain was a 3-0 quarter-final victory against Athletico Madrid in 1997, which manager Frank de Bour started.

ODDS...

Barcelona: 1.12

Draw: 10

Ajax: 26

TV: Live on Sky Sports 5 at 7.45pm.