Barcelona vs Chelsea Betting Preview

Kick-off: Tuesday, March 14 @7:45 PM GMT

Venue: Camp Nou (Barcelona)

Head to head record

Chelsea vs Barcelona 1-1 (2017/2018 Champions League)

Chelsea vs Barcelona 2-2 (2015 ICC)

Barcelona vs Chelsea 2-2 (2011/2012 Champions League)

Chelsea vs Barcelona 1-0 (2011/2012 Champions League)

Chelsea vs Barcelona 1-1 (2008/2009 Champions League)

Barcelona vs Chelsea prediction

Barcelona will be looking to defend their “slim lead” in the Champions League tie against Chelsea when they welcome the Premier League side at their Camp Nou on Wednesday evening.

Camp Nou – the fortress

Barcelona are on the right track to regain La Liga title, but they have big ambitions for the Champions League knockout stages as well. The Catalan giants are seen as one of main favourites to lift the trophy in the elite competition and they are with one foot in the quarter-finals. Ernesto Valverde’s men played out a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of the last 16, with Leo Messi scoring the equalizer for the Catalans. The “Argentina magician”, who is enjoying yet another season to remember, will be the man to watch in the home side and he is likely to prove a handful for the opposition defenders. Barcelona are a real force to be reckoned with at home and it has to be noted that they recorded a win in each of their three group games against Juventus, Olympiakos and Sporting CP. Barca suffered their last defeat at home in the Champions League back in May, 2013, when they were crushed by Bayern Munich (0-3).

Philippe Coutinho is ineligible, whilst Andres Iniesta is a major doubt and he will be assessed on the match day. Semedo and Denis Suarez are both sidelined with injury.

Uphill task

Chelsea, on the other hand, do not seem to be on top of their game ahead of the trip to Catalonia. The Blues have been playing below expectations in the Premier League in the second half of the season, which has something to do with Antonio Conte’s departure. The former Juventus coach is likely to leave the club in the summer, meaning that situation at Stamford Bridge is anything but brilliant ahead of the Champions League clash against Barcelona. Seeing that the Blues played out a 1-1 draw with Barca in front of home fans, they need to adopt an attack-minded approach in Wednesday’s football match if they are to make a miracle at Camp Nou. As always, a man to watch in the away team will be Eden Hazard, who could leave the club in the summer transfer window as well. Anyhow, given Barcelona’s impressive record, we do not believe that there is a big value in betting on the visitors.

The likes of Tiemoue Bakayoko, David Luiz and Ross Barkley are all rated doubtful, but coach Antonio Conte has no other selection worries ahead of the return leg.

Interesting Facts

• Barcelona are after their sixth clean sheet of the process
• Leo Messi has netted four goals in CL so far this term
• Chelsea recorded only three wins in last eight away games in CL
• Barca are undefeated in last 24 home games in the competition
• Blues are after their first ever win at Camp Nou

Barcelona vs Chelsea betting pick

Barcelona have been in a much better form of late than Chelsea and seeing that they have turned their Camp Nou into a real fortress, I believe that home win should be considered. The Blues, on the other hand, need to adopt an attack-minded approach in the return leg, meaning that the Catalan giants will have a number of opportunities to score on the break.

Pick: Barcelona/Barcelona

Odds: 1/1