Chelsea trade tackles with Barcelona at Stamford Bridge in this Champions League round five cracker tonight, MySportDab reports.
It will be the first competitive meeting between the teams after seven years. Barcelona came out on top the last time out, demolishing the Blues 3-0 in the 2018 quarter-finals.
However, they are in for a stern challenge against the resurgent London club under the watch of Enzo Maresca. Maresca has had a stunning debut spell in the dugout with the Blues and has put the team in good stead for a competitive outing in the elite club competition in Europe.
They defeated Burnley 2-0 in their last domestic league fixture at the weekend to extend their unbeaten run to five matches and demolished Ajax 4-1 in round four. The Cobham-based side also boast a proud history in their last five Champions League home games (W4, L1).
Barcelona put Athletic Bilbao to the rout, winning 4-0 in their first game in Camp Nou after returning to the refurbished ground at the weekend. They played out a dramatic 3-3 draw against Club Brugge in their last Champions League game. Overall, Hansi Flick has done a great job with the Catalan giants, including a La Liga-winning debut season with the club and a semi-final finish in last year’s UCL campaign.
However, they have struggled for results in their recent Champions League away games under the German, winning just one of their last four trips (D2, L1).
Team News and Prediction
Levi Colwill has already been ruled out of the season with injury and will miss this match. Dario Essugo and Romeo Lavia are also out with injuries. And the biggest blow to the Blues ahead of this match is Cole Palmer, who is still nursing a fractured toe.
For Barcelona, Pedri will be absent from the Blaugrana’s middle of the park due to injury. Raphinha is back and is a contender to return to the wing. However, it is yet to be determined whether he will make the starting lineup or start from the bench as the club looks to manage his minutes to avoid complications.
Prediction
Both teams sit 11th and 12th in the standings with seven points each and will look to strengthen their bid for a top-eight finish. We expect a thriller likely to end with at least four goals scored.
