Monaco vs Barcelona prediction,

Monaco welcome Spanish giants Barcelona to the Stade Louis II stadium as they both kick off their Champions League campaigns. A new format and new structure in place means only eight places guarantee a spot in the Round of 16 or go through the play-offs knockout rounds and for Barca the former is an absolute minimum requirement.

A few notable surprises will have woken up a few to send a clear message that this structure will certainly upset a few teams - especially as Man City failed to get through Inter Milan's impressive defensive structure so manager Hansi Flick will make sure none of that is repeated in their trip to Monaco.

Barca have started strongly in the league winning all their five matches so far and will be keen to translate that form - with an average of scoring more than three goals a game - onto the Champions League scene as they look to take the title off the hands of their arch rivals.