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Preview: Chelsea face Barcelona in Stamford Bridge throwback

Preview: Chelsea face Barcelona in Stamford Bridge throwback

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It’s been one of the best matchups in the modern Champions League era, producing some of the competitions most memorable and dramatic moments. Chelsea host Barcelona for the first time in nearly a decade.

By Alex Roberts

Both sides have had their ups and downs in Europe’s elite club competitions so far this season, with unexpected draws against Club Brugge and Qarabağ in the previous round of fixtures in need of rectifying on Tuesday.

Whichever side wins this one will be handed a major boost in their pursuit of a top eight finish, avoided a potentially devastating play-off clash and earn a place in the round of 16.

Lamine Yamal vs Estêvão

Estêvão has only been at Chelsea for around six months, but his influence on and off the pitch has been tremendous. The Stamford Bridge faithful are already mentioning him in the same breath as Barcelona’s very own teenage saviour.

Yamal is obviously a little further ahead in his development considering he finished second in football’s biggest popularity contest earlier in the year (the Ballon d’Or), but Enzo Maresca continues to manage Estêvão’s minutes perfectly.

It’s unlikely that Estêvão will get the nod over Pedro Neto, who has been one of Chelsea’s best players this season, for such an important game. Still, this feels like a rivalry we’ll be talking about for years to come.

There should be goals

Both Chelsea and Barcelona are probably the best attacking sides in their respective leagues. Maresca’s side lead the way in terms of xG (22.5), shots on target per 90 (5.6), and big chances created (39), in the Premier League.

As for Hansi Flick’s lads, they top the charts for goals per match (2.8), shots on target per match (8.0), and big chances created (50) in LaLiga, although you could argue the standard of the division means they are facing some lower quality sides on a more regular basis.

These two teams have been incredibly impressive in front of goal this season, but at the other end of the pitch they’ve had their struggles, so expect plenty of chances and hopefully plenty of goals.

Team news

Maresca appeared to rest a few big names in Chelsea’s 2-0 Premier League win over Burnley on Saturday, so expect Moisés Caicedo, Alejandro Garnacho, and Wesley Fofana to come back into the starting 11 for this one.

Chelsea fans were anxious when Reece James was brought off at half time, but Maresca has since confirmed that there was no injury, and he’s in the frame to start.

They will be without star man Cole Palmer, however, after the talismanic number ten fractured his toe while at home. Roméo Lavia (thigh), Dário Essugo (thigh) and Levi Colwill (knee) are also still sidelined.

Marcus Rashford’s return to England has been thrown into doubt due to an illness, but luckily for Barcelona, they have Raphinha back from a hamstring injury.

Frenkie de Jong is back after serving a domestic suspension, but Pedri (hamstring), Gavi (knee) and Marc-André ter Stegen (back) are all out.

Prediction

As we said, there should be plenty of goals in this one, but there really isn’t that much between the two sides, and the home advantage will certainly help Chelsea, so we’re going with 2-2.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Champions League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Preview: Chelsea face Barcelona in Stamford Bridge throwback

It’s been one of the best matchups in the modern Champions League era, producing some of the competitions most memorable and dramatic moments. Chelsea host Barcelona for the first time in nearly a decade.

By Alex Roberts

Both sides have had their ups and downs in Europe’s elite club competitions so far this season, with unexpected draws against Club Brugge and Qarabağ in the previous round of fixtures in need of rectifying on Tuesday.

Whichever side wins this one will be handed a major boost in their pursuit of a top eight finish, avoided a potentially devastating play-off clash and earn a place in the round of 16.

Lamine Yamal vs Estêvão

Estêvão has only been at Chelsea for around six months, but his influence on and off the pitch has been tremendous. The Stamford Bridge faithful are already mentioning him in the same breath as Barcelona’s very own teenage saviour.

Yamal is obviously a little further ahead in his development considering he finished second in football’s biggest popularity contest earlier in the year (the Ballon d’Or), but Enzo Maresca continues to manage Estêvão’s minutes perfectly.

It’s unlikely that Estêvão will get the nod over Pedro Neto, who has been one of Chelsea’s best players this season, for such an important game. Still, this feels like a rivalry we’ll be talking about for years to come.

There should be goals

Both Chelsea and Barcelona are probably the best attacking sides in their respective leagues. Maresca’s side lead the way in terms of xG (22.5), shots on target per 90 (5.6), and big chances created (39), in the Premier League.

As for Hansi Flick’s lads, they top the charts for goals per match (2.8), shots on target per match (8.0), and big chances created (50) in LaLiga, although you could argue the standard of the division means they are facing some lower quality sides on a more regular basis.

These two teams have been incredibly impressive in front of goal this season, but at the other end of the pitch they’ve had their struggles, so expect plenty of chances and hopefully plenty of goals.

Team news

Maresca appeared to rest a few big names in Chelsea’s 2-0 Premier League win over Burnley on Saturday, so expect Moisés Caicedo, Alejandro Garnacho, and Wesley Fofana to come back into the starting 11 for this one.

Chelsea fans were anxious when Reece James was brought off at half time, but Maresca has since confirmed that there was no injury, and he’s in the frame to start.

They will be without star man Cole Palmer, however, after the talismanic number ten fractured his toe while at home. Roméo Lavia (thigh), Dário Essugo (thigh) and Levi Colwill (knee) are also still sidelined.

Marcus Rashford’s return to England has been thrown into doubt due to an illness, but luckily for Barcelona, they have Raphinha back from a hamstring injury.

Frenkie de Jong is back after serving a domestic suspension, but Pedri (hamstring), Gavi (knee) and Marc-André ter Stegen (back) are all out.

Prediction

As we said, there should be plenty of goals in this one, but there really isn’t that much between the two sides, and the home advantage will certainly help Chelsea, so we’re going with 2-2.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Champions League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.