One of the stellar ties in this next batch of UEFA Champions League clashes sees European heavyweights Chelsea take on Barcelona at Stamford Bridge tonight.
Chelsea have stumbled into some reasonable form of late, including a 2-0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor at the weekend. The Blues remain a team that are defensively susceptible and often frustrating to watch for the neutral, as well as their own supporters.
Barcelona have been exposed quite often throughout this campaign but the Blaugrana have closed the gap to Real Madrid at the top of La Liga. The Catalans reopened at Camp Nou at the weekend, hammering Athletic Club 4-0 in front of a reduced crowd of 45,000.
Can Chelsea produce a famous European night at the Bridge or will Barca head to west London ready to continue their renewed form? AllSportsPeople brings you the latest tips and odds for this clash in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League.
Chelsea vs. Barcelona preview: Who will win tonight?
Chelsea will believe they have enough attacking potential to get at a Barca side that can be exposed quite easily at the back, especially as a result of their extreme high-line.
However, if the game does burst out into a chaotic encounter, as is the case for most Barcelona matches, then favouring the visitors to outscore any team in Europe is a good bet.
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Head-to-Head: Chelsea vs. Barcelona
- The most recent outing between these two sides came in the round of 16 of the 2017/18 UEFA Champions League with Barcelona completing a 4-1 aggregate victory over the Blues.
- That win for Barca ended an eight-match unbeaten run of form for Chelsea in this fixture, which included the famous semi-final win in the UCL back in 2012.
- Overall, the two sides have clashed on 17 occasions with Barcelona edging the record with six victories and Chelsea coming out on top in five matches.
Chelsea vs. Barcelona: Form Guide
Chelsea – Last 5 Matches (All Competitions)
- Burnley 0-2 Chelsea (Premier League)
- Chelsea 3-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers (Premier League)
- Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea (UEFA Champions League)
- Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Chelsea (Premier League)
- Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-4 Chelsea (EFL Cup)
Barcelona – Last 5 Matches (All Competitions)
- Barcelona 4-0 Athletic Club (La Liga)
- Celta Vigo 2-4 Barcelona (La Liga)
- Club Brugge 3-3 Barcelona (UEFA Champions League)
- Barcelona 3-1 Elche (La Liga)
- Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona (La Liga)
Chelsea vs. Barcelona Final Score Prediction
The issue for Chelsea is that they play a very deliberate and slow, possession-based style of football, whereas Barcelona can be exposed by giving up the ball and relentlessly catching them in behind.
Whether or not Chelsea are humble enough to try and adapt their style of football, Barca will still be expected to be able to out score the Blues in west London.
TSN Score Prediction: Chelsea 1-2 Barcelona (10.39 with Dafabet)
Chelsea vs. Barcelona Team News
Chelsea Team News
- It was confirmed by Enzo Maresca last week that Cole Palmer suffered a freak toe injury in an accident at home and so he would be missing for this one.
- Enzo Fernandez has filled in very well in the attacking midfield role and he is again expected to play ahead of a midfield pairing of Moises Caicedo and Reece James.
- The Blues do have quite a few longer term injury issues for this one, such as defender Levi Colwill and midfielder Romeo Lavia.
Barcelona Team News
- Barcelona have been able to welcome back key men ahead of this week, such as goalkeeper Joan Garcia and winger Raphinha.
- Marcus Rashford remains a doubt for this one, though, as the Manchester United loanee deals with illness.
- Key man Pedri picked up an injury before the November international break and he is sidelined but Frenkie de Jong, suspended domestically, is available on the continent.
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Chelsea vs. Barcelona lineups: Predicted starting XI's
This is how we think these two sides will lineup at Stamford Bridge tonight.
Chelsea predicted lineup to play Barcelona
(4-2-3-1) Sanchez (GK) — Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella – James, Caicedo — Neto, Fernandez, Garnacho – Pedro
Barcelona predicted lineup to play Chelsea
(4-3-3) J. Garcia (GK) — Kounde, E. Garcia, Araujo, Balde — Fermin, Casado, De Jong — Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha
Chelsea vs. Barcelona Betting Odds
- Chelsea to Win: 2.34 with Dafabet
- Barcelona to Win: 2.72
- Draw: 4.15
Chelsea vs. Barcelona TV channel and live stream
Here's all the key information on how to watch Chelsea vs. Barcelona.
- Date: Wednesday, November 26
- Venue: Stamford Bridge, London, England
- Time: 1:30 a.m.
- TV/Stream: Sony LIV