Champions League: Top Eight is in sight for Chelsea and Barca

Chelsea vs Barcelona

Barcelona head to West London on Tuesday to take on Chelsea in a mouth-watering Champions League clash which could see the winners climb up into the top tier, where the automatic path to the knockouts sits.

Placed 12^th and 11^th in the table and locked on seven points Enzo Maresca’s Blues and Hansi Flick’s Barca have their sights set higher and, as regular former winners of the competition, both clubs are keen to make their mark again this term. After slightly inconsistent starts to their seasons, both arrive at Stamford Bridge in good shape following impressive wins at the weekend.     

On Saturday Barcelona celebrated their long awaited return to the Camp Nou by hammering Athletic Club 4-0 while Chelsea navigated a difficult test away to Burnley. Last time out in the Champions League they were both frustrated; the Blues drew 2-2 away to Qarabag while the Blaugrana shared six goals in Brugges.    

 

Talking Points

Rested Caicedo ready to return  

Chelsea’s trip to Burnley was a potential banana skin for Maresca’s globe-trotting players, back from international duty, looking forward to a clash with Barcelona and playing in the unpopular Saturday lunchtime slot. The Chelsea boss rested his midfield lynchpin, Moises Caicedo, with Andrey Santos stepping in to play that role and he did it well, snuffing out any Burnley progress and linking well between defence and attack.

Chelsea weren’t at their best for much of the game and were on the back foot until the excellent Pedro Neto headed home on 37 minutes; and they survived two penalty scares before Enzo Fernedez scored a late second to settle any nerves. While Santos did a good job at breaking up play, the Blues will welcome back Caicedo, who has a superb passing range to add to his positional skills and masterful control.

And wingback Marc Cucurella is sure to play another big part on Tuesday. He created the opener against Burnley, bringing the ball under control before shrugging off a Burnley challenge and releasing Jamie Gittens who crossed for Neto’s opener. This is a nicely balanced side now, which can defend deeply as well as it creates openings with a fluid attack and creativity, though they will still be missing playmaker Cole Palmer who stubbed his toe on a door last week!     

 

Garcia and Garcia are the men for Barca!

While it is Barcelona’s stellar attacking unit which routinely make the Champions League 2025 highlights it was two defensive stars who won the plaudits as Barca battered Bilbao at the weekend. Robert Lewandowski scored an early opener and Ferran Torres scored either side of half time, with assists from the brilliant Lamine Yamal, and Fermin Lopez was also on the score sheet.  

But it was at the other end of the pitch where things have changed this weekend as goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who was injured during a Barcelona win over Real Oviedo in September, made his return and his first appearance for Barca at the Camp Nou. And coincidentally, or not, Barca recorded their first clean sheet since Garcia was injured. He made several strong saves and interventions and his distribution was superb, so the former Espanyol man was a welcome sight between the sticks for Barca fans.

And his namesake Eric Garcia put in another accomplished performance, sitting just in front of the Barca back line. Flick turned to the 24 year old defender to fill the defensive midfield role, with Frenkie de Jong and Pedri both unavailable, and he was imperious, breaking up Bilbao attacks with consummate ease.       

 

History

Barcelona are five times champions of Europe while Chelsea have won the tournament twice. The Champions League 2025 betting odds say they will make the last eight but a quarter final exit would not be ideal for either and both teams can help their cause by making the top eight at the group stage.

This is the 15^th meeting between Chelsea and Barcelona in the Champions League and they have shared the joy, with four wins each and six draws. They last met in the 2017/18 Round of 16 when Barca took a 1-1 draw away from Stamford Bridge before winning 3-0 at the Camp Nou   

Both Chelsea and Barcelona have won four, drawn one and lost one of their last six games in all competitions. And, after drawing their last Champions League outings, both teams have warned up for this clash with back to back league wins.  

 

Betting Tip

Chelsea are marginal favourites at SBOTOP odds of 2.30 to win this clash, with Barcelona at 2.75 and the draw at 3.75.

I think there will be goals in this game, Barcelona have scored in each of their last 33 La Liga matches, but I don’t expect there to be an avalanche, with Chelsea tight at the back and Barcelona also strengthened in that area.

   

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