Chelsea vs. Barcelona: Rashford back in England to test Blues’ defence
by Devesh Jaganath | by Cydias Aujard
Barca eye first victory at Stamford Bridge in almost two decades
Tuesday night brings what most of us consider the pick of the Matchday 5 fixtures in the UEFA Champions League, as Chelsea welcome Barcelona to Stamford Bridge for a high-stakes clash in the top half of the table.
Both these sides enter this fixture with identical records after the first four matches of this campaign (W2 D1 L1), and are looking to get back to winning ways in Europe after playing to draws on Matchday 4 of the competition last month.
The Blues confirmed our football predictions by defeating Burnley 2-0 at the weekend and are now unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions, while the only loss Blaugrana have suffered in their last five was in El Clasico at the end of last month.
With both teams having already played a game each against Pot 1 opposition, this is their toughest remaining fixture in the League Phase, and with two points separating them from the top eight sides, a victory here could prove decisive in the race for automatic qualification to the round of 16.
The Catalan club emerged victorious (3-0) when these two last met in a competitive fixture back in 2018, but they have not won a match at Stamford Bridge since 2006, losing two and drawing three of their five visits to West London during this period.
According to our expert’s Champions League predictions, chances and goals are expected from this blockbuster clash, while bookmakers are only marginally leaning toward the Blues as favourites based on the latest betting odds.
Notably, English sides have dominated Spanish opposition in the UCL of late, with Premier League clubs winning nine of the last 10 fixtures against La Liga outfits. However, the one win by a Spanish side was Barca, who beat Newcastle 2-1 in this competition back in September.
See our Chelsea vs. Barcelona prediction
Player Focus: Estevao vs. Rashford
While Robert Lewandowski continues to serve as the talisman for Barcelona even at 37 years of age, Poland’s all-time top goal scorer has yet to open his account in the Champions League this season after three appearances. Check out our Chelsea vs. Barcelona prediction for more key stats.
Barca’s leading scorer in the UCL this season is Marcus Rashford, who looks like a player reborn since arriving in Catalonia from Manchester United in the summer. He has already notched up four goals and an assist in four matches in Europe’s premier club competition.
The last time the Englishman featured on his home soil, he bagged a brace and led Blaugrana to a 2-1 victory over Newcastle on Matchday 1. He missed the Catalans' victory against Athletic Bilbao over the weekend through illness but is expected to return for this clash.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have had to make do without the services of Cole Palmer since the middle of September due to a groin injury, and his return was pushed back by a few more weeks after he sustained a toe fracture in the lead-up to their match against Burnley last weekend.
Despite the absence of their poster boy, the Blues have still managed to find ways to win games, and Estevao has been central to their success in Europe, netting in each of his first two UCL starts for Enzo Maresca’s side.
The teenager is the only player to score more than once in this competition for the West Londoners, and could become the second-youngest player to register goals in his first three Champions League starts after Kylian Mbappe for Monaco in 2017.
Chelsea vs. Barcelona: Match details:
Date: Tuesday, November 25
Time: 20:00 GMT, (21:00 CET)
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
Live Coverage: TNT Sports (UK), Movistar (Spain), or via our Champions League livescores
Referee: Slavko Vincic (SVN)
Assistant Referees: Tomaz Klancnik (SVN), Andraz Kovacic (SVN)
VAR: Christian Dingert (GER)
