12 Jun 2019
Blues and Barca set to reignite their rivalry at Stamford Bridge
It has become one of the great modern rivalries in the Champions League. When Chelsea were drawn against Barcelona in the last 16 of this season’s European campaign, you couldn’t help but think back to some of the titanic clashes between the two sides in recent years. Here, we have?
Neither side come into this game in particularly good form. The hosts suffered back-to-back defeats against Bournemouth and Watford, before an inspired performance from Eden Hazard got them back to winning ways against West Brom.
Barcelona, meanwhile, have won just once in their last three games. One man who will be desperate to help his side to a positive result in the first leg at Stamford Bridge is talisman Lionel Messi. The Argentinian forward has famously never scored against Chelsea, despite firing off 29 shots in eight games against the Blues. It is the most games he has played against any opponent without finding the net.
If recent ties between the two sides are anything to go by, you can expect a close affair at Stamford Bridge. When Chelsea have hosted Barcelona in recent years, goals have been few and far between. Just once in the last three meetings in London has more than one goal been scored. It’s worth backing under 2.5 goals in this one at 17/20.
Chelsea have scored a first-half goal in each of their last two home games against Barcelona, so you might want to consider Antonio Conte’s side to win the first half at 3/1. The Blues have also won two of their last three games against Barca by a score line of 1-0. If you fancy another tight victory for Hazard and co here, you can back that result at 9/1.
Conte will be relieved to have defender Andreas Christensen available for selection again. The 21-year-old Dane missed the heavy defeats at the hands of Bournemouth and Watford, where Chelsea shipped seven goals across the two games. Christensen had an immediate impact upon his return to the side against West Brom, helping his side to a much-needed clean sheet. The Premier League champions have not conceded a single goal in their last four Premier League games whilst Christensen has been at the heart of the defence.
Chelsea will need the star defender to be at his best to stop Lionel Messi, who will be determined to end his goal scoring drought against the 2012 European Champions. Barcelona’s all-time record goalscorer has netted 29 times in 36 games already this season. He is yet to score in February however, having not found the net in the club’s last four games. Thibaut Courtois and his defence have their work cut out for them to deny the five-time Ballon d’Or winner once more.
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