FC Barcelona
vs
Chelsea FC
Kick-off
19:45 GMT
14 March 2018
The game on everyone’s mind this week sees Chelsea make the familiar trip to the Nou Camp hoping to defy the odds and progress to the Champions League quarter-final. Barcelona obviously have the same aim and will be confident after their late equaliser at Stamford Bridge in the first-leg. This came courtesy of Lionel Messi in the second-half after Willian put Chelsea 1-0 up with a long-range strike on the hour mark.
It’s never dull between Barcelona and Chelsea, especially at the Nou Camp. The last time the current Premier League champions made the trip, they went on to win the Champions League. Fernando Torres scored a last-minute equaliser in his home country to set up their historic final with Bayern Munich. Of the last eight meetings, six have ended as draws while the others saw Chelsea win, Antonio Conte’s side have only been beaten at the Nou Camp once and that was back in 2005 in a tie where they still went through. Both teams have scored in three of the last four and if Chelsea can execute some good counter-attacks, I think that will continue on Wednesday night.
The hosts need a two-goal cushion to feel comfortable in this second-leg and with Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi back in training, they’ll be a lot more confident of doing that. With no first-team injury worries, they must field a strong side. Latest matches: FC Barcelona
10.03.2018
LaLi
Malaga CF
FC Barcelona
0:2
W
04.03.2018
LaLi
FC Barcelona
Atletico Madrid
1:0
W
01.03.2018
LaLi
Las Palmas UD
FC Barcelona
1:1
D
24.02.2018
LaLi
FC Barcelona
Girona FC
6:1
W
20.02.2018
UEFA
Chelsea FC
FC Barcelona
1:1
D
The visitors know that an away goal will put them in a very commanding position but they don’t want to expose themselves. Antonio Rudiger will miss the trip but that is the only notable injury for the Blues. Latest matches: Chelsea FC
10.03.2018
Prem
Chelsea FC
Crystal Palace
2:1
W
04.03.2018
Prem
Manchester City
Chelsea FC
1:0
L
25.02.2018
Prem
Manchester United
Chelsea FC
2:1
L
20.02.2018
UEFA
Chelsea FC
FC Barcelona
1:1
D
16.02.2018
FA C
Chelsea FC
Hull City
4:0
W
With the game currently a draw, Barcelona are seen as favourites on their own turf. Their away goal could be huge as Chelsea are expected to be doing a lot more defending than attacking. The hosts will have to be wary of their opponents’ pace on the break but it is certainly Barca’s to lose.
14 March 2018 - 19:45 GMT
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