Barcelonas visit to Birmingham City on Friday is more than a friendly, believes Chris Davies as the head coach prepares the second-tier side for the prestigious meeting with the five-time European champions. Last in the Premier League in 2010/11, the Blues, who are part-owned by NFL legend Tom Brady, earned their sole appearance in modern European competition by winning the EFL Cup that season, although they exited the Europa League in the group stage.Its a special game because of the magnitude of the club were playing against and the fact weve got them in our home stadium, Davies told Citys website.Its the sort of game people will remember for a long time. To bring a huge club like Barcelona into our stadium is incredible.On the football side, its a chance to ultimately get that measuring stick against the very, very best.Barca have chosen a camp in England partly because they want to avoid long-haul trips following the World Cup 2026.Midfielder Marc Bernal says the inclusion of 17 young players who are part of the training squad in the absence of Barcelonas World Cup stars says a lot about the clubs famed La Masia academy.Im very happy that theyre here enjoying themselves, the 19-year-old told AS, expressing his joy at being involved after his pre-season last year was interrupted by injury.Its a perfect example of what Barca is all about. Their level is very surprising. Playing for the reserve and youth teams is different than playing for the first team, but hopefully theyll get some opportunities.Table of ContentsBirmingham City v Barcelona team newsBirmingham v Barcelona predicted line-upsWhere to watch Birmingham v Barcelona: TV and online streamsBirmingham City v Barcelona statsBirmingham City v Barcelona predictionBirmingham City v Barcelona ticketsBirmingham City v Barcelona team newsLeft-back Lee Buchanan (knee) and right-back Ethan Laird (hamstring) are long-term injury absentees for City.Midfielder Marc Leonard had surgery in May after rupturing his Achilles tendon while on loan at Scottish club Hearts.Davies has been busy this week, signing Denmark-born former USA international full-back Kristoffer Lund from Palermo following Kai Wagners departure and adding Argentinian striker Luis Vazquez from Anderlecht.Midfielder Jhon Solis joined permanently from Girona for �6 million in June, a month before centre-back Dael Frys arrival from Middlesbrough.Goalkeeper James Beadle has again joined on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion for the campaign.Frenkie de Jong has travelled with Barcelona and worked in the gym as the midfielder continues his comeback from a serious knee injury.Left-back Alejandro Balde went for a short run on the pitch with a physio following back problems, according to AS.Raphinha is not expected to feature but took part in an individual session. The winger endured an injury-hit season last time out and missed two Brazil matches at the World Cup with a familiar hamstring issue.Karim Adeyemi an �18.8m signing from Borussia Dortmund last week is part of the camp, as is goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who is expected to complete a loan move to Ajax imminently.The players who have not joined the group following the World Cup include Spain stars and world champions Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Joan Garcia, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Gavi, Dani Olmo and Pedri.Birmingham v Barcelona predicted line-upsBirmingham City starting XI: James Beadle, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Christoph Klarer, Kristoffer Lund, Dael Fry, Tomoki Iwata, Demarai Gray, Kanya Fujimoto, August Priske, Jhon Solis, Luis VazquezBarcelona starting XI: Wojciech Szczesny, Jofre Torrents, Alvaro Cortes, Andreas Christensen, Xavi Espart, Brian Farinas, Marc Casado, Ibrahim Diarra, Alex Gonzalez, Hamza Abdelkarim, Roony BardghjiWhere to watch Birmingham v Barcelona: TV and online streamsKick-off on Friday is at 19:45 BST (14:45 ET / 11:45 PT). In the UK, live coverage is on Blues+, which charges �8.99 for a Match Pass.Barcelonas official channel is also showing the match in some territories outside the UK. For full details, visit Barca Play.Birmingham City v Barcelona statsWhile Barcelona won La Liga last season, Birmingham finished 10th in the Championship and were nine points off the last place for a play-off campaign to reach the Premier LeagueBarcelona were previously based at St Georges Park in 2014 before winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League and in 2016Their last visit to an English club was a 1-1 draw against Newcastle at St James Park in the Champions League last 16 last season, winning the return match 7-2The Spanish sides record against English clubs in competitive fixtures is W38 D23 L21Since a 1-0 win at Manchester United in the Champions League in 2019, Barcelona have won win in five competitive matches in EnglandThat victory came at Newcastle in September 2025, when England international Marcus Rashford scored twice and current Barcelona winger Anthony Gordon replied for the MagpiesBirmingham are winless in four meetings with Barcelona, with all five previous matches between the sides taking place in the now-defunct Fairs Cup between 1957 and 1960Their win was at home in the first of those matches, prevailing 4-3 in October 1957 before losing the return match 1-0 at the Camp Nou the following monthThe tie therefore went to a one-legged replay in Basel, which Barcelona won 2-1Only promoted Coventry City and Ipswich Town bettered Birminghams total of 44 points at home in last seasons ChampionshipThose teams were the only sides to lose fewer home games than the three defeats Davies team suffered at St Andrews in the divisionBirmingham City v Barcelona predictionBirmingham 3-3 BarcelonaBirminghams excellent home record and incentive to impress on their return to St Andrews for the first time since the end of last season mean they should prove very competitive against an inexperienced Barca squad. Barcelona averaged well over two goals a game in 2025/26 and Birmingham were the fifth-highest scorers at home in their division, so entertainment looks likely.Birmingham City v Barcelona ticketsMatch ticketing is through Ticketmaster and has sold out. Topics Birmingham City F.C. EFL Championship FC Barcelona Frenkie de Jong Hansi Flick Karim Adeyemi LaLiga Marc-Andre ter Stegen Raphinha Wojciech Szczsny Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Newcastle suffer friendly defeat at Bristol City as defensive issues laid bare Nicholas McGee 29th July, 2026 Neymar hits back at malicious fake news: I wont accept that total lie Ben Miller 27th July, 2026 Pre season friendly matches today: Reports, results, goals from across Europe Ben Miller 26th July, 2026 Neymar: Watch goals video as Brazil icon cops ban on Santos return in strikers first match since World Cup 2026 Ben Miller 26th July, 2026 2026 Transfer window: What are the five biggest deals of the summer? Mitch Fretton 24th July, 2026 Barcelona confirm signing of Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund Mitch Fretton 23rd July, 2026
