Wolfsburg Frauen vs Barcelona Femeni: Preview, predictions and lineups | OneFootball

Women's Champions League holders Barcelona travel to Frauen-Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg for the first leg of their quarter-final tie.

Barca have been Europe's dominant force this decade, winning three of the previous four UWCL titles. However, Pere Romeu's side have manifested a fallibility this season. Not only were the holders beaten by Manchester City in the group stage, but they were also stunned by Levante in Liga F last month.

Nevertheless, the perennial Spanish champions once again lead the way at the domestic summit, leading Real Madrid by seven points. And despite their defeat in Manchester, their vastly superior goal difference saw them top Group D.

Wolfsburg have played second fiddle to Bayern Munich in recent years, and they have their work cut out if they're to outperform their domestic rivals in Europe this season. The Germans are currently third in the Frauen-Bundesliga, and they progressed into the last eight of the UWCL by virtue of their impressive goal difference which knocked Roma out of the competition.

Here's 90min's guide to Wednesday's quarter-final first leg.

Wolfsburg vs Barcelona head-to-head record (last five games)

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Wolfsburg vs Barcelona on TV - UK & US

Wolfsburg team news

Alex Popp will be hoping to inspire Wolfsburg against the champions / Alex Grimm/GettyImages

Experienced German international Alex Popp is Wolfsburg's chief threat. She scored four goals during the group phase and is ruthless in front of goal. Popp is also Germany's third-highest goalscorer with 67 strikes.

The forward won't be supported by Luca Papp on Wednesday due to injury, while defender Camilla Kuver and goalkeeper Merle Frohms are unlikely to feature.

Wolfsburg predicted lineup vs Barcelona

Wolfsburg predicted lineup vs Barcelona (3-4-2-1): Borbe; Dijkstra, Minge, Linder; Wilms, Huth, Lattwein, Brand; Endemann, Beerensteyn; Popp.

Barcelona team news

Ewa Pajor faces her former club / Soccrates Images/GettyImages

Pere Romeu rested a whole host of big names against Tenerife at the weekend with this fixture in mind. Thus, we should see the likes of Ona Batlle, Aitana Bonmati and Caroline Graham Hansen back in the Barcelona XI.

The visitors will assess Lioness Ellie Roebuck ahead of the game after she missed Saturday's win with a leg injury. An ankle issue could keep Kika Nazareth out, while Claudia Pina has been absent for the previous three games due to a muscle complaint.

Ewa Pajor faces up against her former club having starred in the group stage. The forward is Barca's joint top-scorer in this competition with five goals.

Barcelona predicted lineup vs Wolfsburg (4-3-3): Coll; Batlle, Engen, Leon, Brugts; Bonmati, Guijarro, Putellas; Graham Hansen, Paralluelo, Pajor.

Wolfsburg vs Barcelona score prediction

On paper, this appears a pretty simple tie for Barcelona, who have eased fears of any potential drop-off by beating Real Madrid twice over the past few weeks.

Wolfsburg have endured a down year domestically and were beaten twice in the group stage, but their performances against Lyon should instil confidence ahead of their ties with Europe's top dog.

Still, their task is a huge one against a Barca team that so often rises to the occasion. With their superstars well-rested, expect the visitors to win with some comfort.