Monaco vs Barcelona Tips - Barcelona backed to get off to a winning start in the Champions League

Barcelona eased to an impressive 4-1 win over Girona in their last match to extend their perfect start to the season. 

The pair have met three times in total, with Barcelona winning twice and Monaco winning the pre-season friendly the sides battled in earlier in the year. 

Monaco have been good at the start of the new season, winning three of their opening four and drawing the other match. 

The French side have impressed at the back, conceding once across their opening four, while they have scored seven times. However, it is worth noting that wins over Auxerre, Lyon and St Etienne has seen Monaco beat sides currently sitting in 15th, 13th and 16th respectively. Their only clash with a top 10 side came in their 1-1 draw with Lens. 

While Monaco will give Barcelona issues in midweek, I predict that the French side will slip to their first defeat this season as the quality of opponent increases dramatically. 

Barcelona have been superb this term, winning their opening five matches and rising to the top of La Liga. 

Their 4-1 win over Girona at the weekend backed up a 7-0 stuffing of Valladolid before the international break, with Barcelona scoring 17 times and conceding just four goals. The Spanish side have started as they mean to go on this season. 

Robert Lewandowski has been very important to their attacking intent, with the forward netting four times this term. After missing the mark against Girona at the weekend, I am backing him to hit the back of the net in midweek.