Wednesday UEFA Champions League Round of 16 – Barcelona vs Chelsea

March 14, 2018 19:45 – Camp Nou

Recent Form (Champions League)

Barcelona: WDDWD

Chelsea: DLWDD

The Barcelona-Chelsea Champions League story continues on Wednesday with the tie delicately balanced. Arguably the stand out tie of the Round of 16, the first leg lived up to the expectations with both the clubs creating chances at will.

Chelsea looked like they were heading for a home win until Lionel Messi scored his first goal against Chelsea to not only level the match but also to provide a crucial away goal for the Catalan club. The defending Premier League champions are struggling to qualify for Europe’s premier club competition next season let alone defend their title, but they hold the historical advantage over the Blaugrana, having just lost one of their last nine meetings, scoring in each. The last meeting in the Camp Nou was the memorable 2-2 in the 2011/12 season featuring Fernando Torres’ unforgettable injury time goal. Chelsea went on to win the competition that season to lift the Champions League for their one and only time.

Barcelona qualified from their group with consummate ease, remaining undefeated and conceding a solitary goal, but were hardly vintage in the encounter at Stamford Bridge. A priceless away goal from Messi has tipped the balance towards the La Liga leaders who are undefeated in the league, their goal breeched just 13 times in 28 league games and once in six Champions League games. Antonio Conte’s men will have to be at their very best to come away with anything. But considering the pedigree and experience of the knockout games Barcelona hold in their hands, and the fact that the match is going to be played at home, they are clear favourites to advance into the quarters.

While Barcelona will look to create danger from possession play, Chelsea’s defence will try to allow very little space with five playing in the back when Barcelona are looking to attack. But patience and Barcelona go hand in hand, coupled with the fact Valverde’s men know they do not have to score to progress as long as they keep Chelsea at arms length. It is hard to imagine a tougher ask for the Blues but with such gifted players as Eden Hazard and former Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata they will always carry a goal threat. This should be a finely balanced game which will see both coaches trying to get their tactics perfect.

Prediction 

With Chelsea needing to chase a goal at some point it is hard not to see a Barca counterattack leading to a goal. However, it should still be a tight affair so a Barcelona win with less than 2.5 goals in the game can be expected.

You can back this outcome at 3/1 with Betfair.