Barcelona’s 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.
“It’s a special game because of the magnitude of the club we’re playing against and the fact we’ve got them in our home stadium,” Davies told City’s website.
“It’s 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, it’s 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 Barcelona’s World Cup stars “says a lot” about the club’s famed La Masia academy.
“I’m very happy that they’re 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.
“It’s 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 they’ll get some opportunities.”
Birmingham City v Barcelona team news
Left-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 Wagner’s 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 Fry’s 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-ups
Birmingham 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 Vazquez
Barcelona starting XI: Wojciech Szczesny, Jofre Torrents, Alvaro Cortes, Andreas Christensen, Xavi Espart, Brian Farinas, Marc Casado, Ibrahim Diarra, Alex Gonzalez, Hamza Abdelkarim, Roony Bardghji
Where to watch Birmingham v Barcelona: TV and online streams
Kick-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.
Barcelona’s official channel is also showing the match in some territories outside the UK. For full details, visit Barca Play.
Birmingham City v Barcelona stats
- While 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 League
- Barcelona were previously based at St George’s Park in 2014 – before winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League – and in 2016
- Their 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 7-2
- The Spanish side’s record against English clubs in competitive fixtures is W38 D23 L21
- Since a 1-0 win at Manchester United in the Champions League in 2019, Barcelona have won win in five competitive matches in England
- That victory came at Newcastle in September 2025, when England international Marcus Rashford scored twice and current Barcelona winger Anthony Gordon replied for the Magpies
- Birmingham 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 1960
- Their 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 month
- The tie therefore went to a one-legged replay in Basel, which Barcelona won 2-1
- Only promoted Coventry City and Ipswich Town bettered Birmingham’s total of 44 points at home in last season’s Championship
- Those teams were the only sides to lose fewer home games than the three defeats Davies’ team suffered at St Andrew’s in the division
Birmingham City v Barcelona prediction
Birmingham 3-3 Barcelona
Birmingham’s excellent home record and incentive to impress on their return to St Andrew’s 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 tickets
Match ticketing is through Ticketmaster and has sold out.
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