After the four UEFA Champions League last 16 matches last week, there are four more this week and one of the biggest ties of the round takes place on Tuesday at Stamford Bridge as Barcelona make the trip to the capital. Barca are unbeaten in this year’s competition as they topped their group while Chelsea had to settle for second place in their group as Roma took top spot. The second leg will be played in three weeks’ time on the 14^th of March.

STATS

• Chelsea haven’t been in the best form in the league and with just three wins in the Champions League group stage, they have been drawn against many people’s favourites to lift the trophy. They have won three of their last five in all competitions, losses against Bournemouth and Watford set off warning signs but after winning their last two, they will take some confidence into the European clash. They beat Hull 4-0 in the FA Cup in their last game.
• Barcelona are on fire and remain the only unbeaten side in Europe’s top five leagues. They won four and drew two of their six group matches which was plenty enough to see them through as winners. They didn’t play particularly well in the group games as 0-0 draws against Olympiacos and Juventus saw them drop points while they had to rely on an own goal to squeeze past Sporting Lisbon. They won 2-0 away at Eibar in their last match.
• Chelsea have managed 16 goals and Eden Hazard is leading the way for the Blues with three goals, two of which came in the entertaining 3-3 draw with Roma at the Bridge.
• With just nine goals in their six games so far, Barca haven’t exactly lit up the Champions League. Lionel Messi is their highest scorer with three goals, including a brace against Juventus.

HEAD TO HEAD

Barcelona and Chelsea have had some very eye-catching meetings in the Champions League over the last 15 years. It is actually Chelsea who have the edge in the recent contests and are unbeaten against Barca in their last six games with the Catalan giants. The last time they faced in the 2012 Champions League semi-final, it was Fernando Torres who inspired a 10-man Blues side to a huge 2-2 draw at the Nou Camp after they had won the first leg 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.

CHELSEA NEWS

Tuesday’s hosts must avoid defeat in the first-leg if they want any chance of going through, they also must limit Barcelona’s chance as they could fall victim to the away goals ruling. Marcos Alonso should return to the starting XI which will be a boost whilst David Luiz and Tiemoue Bakayoko aren’t expected to play.

Latest matches: Chelsea FC

16.02.2018	FA C	Chelsea FC	Hull City	4:0	W
12.02.2018	Prem	Chelsea FC	West Bromwich Albion	3:0	W
05.02.2018	Prem	Watford FC	Chelsea FC	4:1	L
31.01.2018	Prem	Chelsea FC	Bournemouth AFC	0:3	L
28.01.2018	FA C	Chelsea FC	Newcastle United	3:0	W

BARCELONA NEWS

Barcelona can avoid to lose by a one-goal cushion in this first-leg, especially if they manage to bag an away goal. Phillipe Coutinho is cup-tied so is unable to play and Nelson Semedo is suspended for the visitors.

Latest matches: FC Barcelona

17.02.2018	LaLi	SD Eibar	FC Barcelona	0:2	W
11.02.2018	LaLi	FC Barcelona	Getafe CF	0:0	D
08.02.2018	Copa	Valencia CF	FC Barcelona	0:2	W
04.02.2018	LaLi	Espanyol Barcelona	FC Barcelona	1:1	D
01.02.2018	Copa	FC Barcelona	Valencia CF	1:0	W

SUMMARY

While it may seem that Barca are clear favourites to win this one, Chelsea know how to turn up on Champions League night and have only been beaten once at home by Barcelona in their five attempts. It could easily be a draw with the visiting side looking to control possession and one single moment of magic could decide the game either way.