Champions League: Milan v Barcelona match preview

A look ahead to tonight’s Champions League fixture at the San Siro

Lionel Messi trains with Barcelona on Monday (GETTY IMAGES)

Barcelona face Milan tonight at San Siro with both teams remaining unbeaten in the competition.

Barcelona are the only team in Group H to win both games whilst Milan beat Celtic and drew to Ajax. There is considerable history between the two European giants as they have played each other 17 times, the first being back in 1959. Milan has experienced mixed form recently, winning two, drawing two and losing two of their last six games. This has led to Milan sitting in eighth place, 13 points behind leaders Roma in the Italian Serie A. By contrast, Barcelona has got off to their ‘best start in league history’, recording eight consecutive league wins. Their first draw of the season was a 0-0 outing against Osasuna last weekend.  They sit one point ahead of Atletico Madrid in the Spanish La Liga, yet enjoy a commanding goal difference of 22.

KICK-OFF:Tuesday, 7.45pm

PAST MEETINGS

Barcelona 4 (Messi 2, Villam Jordi Alba) Milan 0, Champions League, Knock-out phase, March 2013

Milan 2 (Boateng, Muntari) Barcelona 0, Champions League, Knock-out phase, February 2013

Barcelona 3 (Messi 2, Iniesta) Milan 1 (Nocerino), Champions League, Quarter Finals, April 2012

Milan 0, Barcelona 0, Champions League, Quarter Finals, March 2012

Milan 2 ( Ibrahimovic, Boateng) Barcelona 3 (Van Bommel, Messi, Xavi), Champions League, Group Stage, November 2011

Barcelona 2 (Pedron, Villa) Milan 2 (Pato, Thiago Silva), Champions League, Group Stage, September 2011

STATS…

These two famous names have squared off 17 times, Barcelona recording seven wins to Milan's five and scoring 26 goals to the Italian side's 21.

Milan's record in eight home outings against Barcelona reads W3 D2 L3.

Milan’s overall Record against visiting Spanish teams is W11 D6 L6.

Barcelona's away record against Serie A teams is W6 D7 L6.

Nine of Milan's last 13 goals have come after the 81-minute mark.

ODDS…

Milan to win: 6

Barcelona to win: 1.55

Draw: 3.9

TV: Live on Sky Sports 4 at 7.45pm (when match starts, not when programme starts), highlights on ITV at 10.35pm