Football Results

One of the last 2nd leg matches of the round of 16 of Champions League is the one between Barcelona and Chelsea, which three weeks ago drew 1-1 at the Stamford Bridge. It means that both teams have realistic chance to reach the quarter-finals, although fact that leading team of La Liga had scored away puts it now in a bit better position. Let’s add that this will be their 12th head-to-head in the Champions League, and before now the English team had more success.

FC Barcelona

Of course, that is just an additional motive for the Catalans to revenge, especially as they pulled for them good 1-1 in the 1st leg played in London. Now, the home team needs mere 0-0 to pass further but it is hard to expect that team of Barca quality can play to draw at home, especially when you have players like Suarez and Mess, where the latter is rested as he skipped last week’s league match with Malaga, which Barcelona won as visiting team by 2-0.

In that way team led by manager Valverde continue to have eight points more than 2nd-placed Atletico Madrid, and it is quite clear that trophy of the Spanish champion will again move from the Santiago Bernabeu to the Camp Nou. Besides, the Catalans will face Sevilla at the very end of season in the great final of the Copa del Rey, while in the Champions League they have to overcome the first hurdle, their old rival Chelsea. On Wednesday evening Valverde cannot count on suspended midfielder Coutinho and injured defender Semedo and midfielder Suarez.

Probable lineups Barcelona: ter Stegen – Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba – Paulinho, Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta – Messi, Suarez

Chelsea

Unlike Barcelona, which will most likely put back the trophy of the Spanish champion in its display cabinet after one pause of one year, the reigning champions of England had dropped from the race for the title a long time ago, given that at the moment they have even 25 points fewer than leading Manchester City. However, it is much worse that Chelsea may easily drop from the race for the Champions League, as eight rounds before the end of season it has four points fewer than 4th-placed Tottenham.

On the other hand, it reached the quarter-finals in the FA Cup, while in the Champions League they have a very difficult task ahead of them in the 2nd leg of the round of 16 where its opponent is Barcelona, given that three weeks ago the Blues merely drew with them 1-1. Still, as long as there is even a slightest chance to pass in next round we believe that team led by manager Conte will give its best. We need to add that due to injuries out of action for match at the Camp Nou are stopper Luiz and midfielders Bakayoko and Barkley.

Probable lineups Chelsea: Courtois – Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger – Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso – Willian, Pedro – Hazard

Verdict:

Although three weeks ago the Catalans pulled for them good 1-1, we expect from them to play in front of their fans to win their old rival Chelsea, which anyway doesn’t play at is should lately.

Pick:  Asian handicap -1 Barcelona 1.88 - 88/100 @1XBet