Chelsea vs Barcelona Prediction, Betting Tips and Match Preview. Check the match preview, betting tips, useful info and football predictions for the match between Chelsea vs Barcelona in the 1/8 finals of the UEFA Champions League.
Chelsea vs Barcelona Match Preview
Chelsea know the magnitude of facing Barcelona in the knockouts and would like to stay ahead of the game before the teams move to Nou Camp. This Chelsea vs Barcelona Champions League knock-out first leg match will be played at the Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, February 20, so check out our Chelsea vs Barcelona prediction and betting tips.
Chelsea
Chelsea’s season has been all up and down and their Champions League group stage performance has been the same. After dominating Group C for long, they faltered in the end to finish behind AS Roma in second place with 11 points (W3, D2, L1). That stutter at the end earned them a tough fixture against Barcelona and they know the importance of grabbing some goals or even a win in this Chelsea vs Barcelona first-leg. After a turbulent period of games where they lost three games in four matches in all competitions, the Blues have picked up two wins coming into this game. More importantly, the wins have given them some momentum and belief that they can compete with the Catalan giants. In the Champions League this season, at home, Chelsea remain undefeated in three games (W1, D2). Overall, at home, they have just one loss in their last 18 fixtures (W12, D5, L1) in all competitions.
Barcelona
Barcelona are cruising in the La Liga, in contrast to Chelsea’s Premier League travails, leading their nearest challengers by 13 points. That they come into this Chelsea vs Barcelona first-leg fixture staying unbeaten in eight games (W6, D2) in all competitions puts them in great position. Critics may point out that Barcelona looked far from convincing in their recent matches with the draws against Espanyol and Getafe highlighting their struggles. There is a bit of statistical truth in that argument as the Spanish giants have won by more than one goal in just two of their last seven fixtures. Ernesto Valverde’s men may eschew any extravagant displays in the first-leg and go for an away goal that could prove crucial in deciding the winner of this round.
Chelsea vs Barcelona H2H
The recent fixtures between these sides have tended to be close affairs with four the last five encounters having ended all-square. The last time they met back in 2005 also witnessed a stalemate, although Chelsea progressed in extra-time.
Chelsea vs Barcelona Team News
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has indicated that Marcos Alonso will be fit to face Barcelona while Tiemoue Bakayoko is out injured, along with Ross Barkley and David Luiz.
Philippe Coutinho is ineligible for Barcelona while Nelson Semedo is suspended for this fixture.
Chelsea vs Barcelona Probable Line-ups
Chelsea: Courtois (GK), Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill, Moses, Drinkwater, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso, Hazard, Morata.
Barcelona: Ter Stegen (GK), Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba, Dembele, Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta, Suarez, Messi.
Chelsea vs Barcelona Prediction
There will be pressure on both the sides as goals will be crucial in what is expected to be a tight affair. Chelsea will be desperate to get some cushion ahead of a daunting trip to the Nou Camp. Barcelona, on the other hand, would like to keep winning and settle this before the second leg. We expect goals in both nets and that’s our betting tip for this game.