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Overview
Catalan Giants Barcelona pay visit to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea in the first leg of this Round of 16 Cup tie. Can the Blues capitilize on home advantage?
Form
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Champions League Form: 3 Wins 1 Losses 1 Draw
Domestic Form: 3 Wins 2 Losses 0 Draws
Chelsea will come into this cup tie knowing that they face a tough test ahead of them that they are capable of passing. In the past 12 matches between these 2 legendary clubs Chelsea has come out on top with 4 wins compared to Barca's 3 and 5 ties. Although their title defense has not gone as planned and in recent weeks embarrassing defeats to Watford and Bournemouth have dimished their form it seems that they are getting back into dominant play with recent victories against over West Brom and Hull City. If Chelsea are to extend Messi's goalless streak against them to 9 matches and find good play from Hazard then they will be able to come out with a result with them going to Spain for the 2nd leg. The Blues will be without defender David Luiz and midfielders Tiemoue Bakayoko and recent signing Ross Barkley.
Chelsea will come into this cup tie knowing that they face a tough test ahead of them that they are capable of passing. In the past 12 matches between these 2 legendary clubs Chelsea has come out on top with 4 wins compared to Barca's 3 and 5 ties. Although their title defense has not gone as planned and in recent weeks embarrassing defeats to Watford and Bournemouth have dimished their form it seems that they are getting back into dominant play with recent victories against over West Brom and Hull City. If Chelsea are to extend Messi's goalless streak against them to 9 matches and find good play from Hazard then they will be able to come out with a result with them going to Spain for the 2nd leg. The Blues will be without defender David Luiz and midfielders Tiemoue Bakayoko and recent signing Ross Barkley.
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Champions League Form: 3 Wins 0 Losses 2 Draws
Domestic Form: 3 Wins 0 Losses 2 Draws
Barcelona have had a marvelous season thus far however things have slowed down of late for the Catalan giants. They come into this Round of 16 cup tie undefeated with 3 wins and 2 ties and hold a somewhat comfortable 7 point league in La Liga however this match is about Chelsea. Messi has gone 8 games without a goal against the Blues therefore they will need him to step up or have another player such as Luis Suarez contribute. Either way this a game that they can win as much as Chelsea, for this to happen though they will need to dig deep as they have been struggling of late. The Catalan giants will be without Nelson Semedo.
Barcelona have had a marvelous season thus far however things have slowed down of late for the Catalan giants. They come into this Round of 16 cup tie undefeated with 3 wins and 2 ties and hold a somewhat comfortable 7 point league in La Liga however this match is about Chelsea. Messi has gone 8 games without a goal against the Blues therefore they will need him to step up or have another player such as Luis Suarez contribute. Either way this a game that they can win as much as Chelsea, for this to happen though they will need to dig deep as they have been struggling of late. The Catalan giants will be without Nelson Semedo.
Head to Head: These 2 clubs have played each other 12 times, Chelsea winning 4 and Barca winning 3 with 5 ties. Their last encounter in 2015 Chelsea went onto to win in extra time.
Men to watch
(Source: i.eurosport.com)
Barcelona- Lionel Messi
(Source www.thesun.co.uk)
Chelsea- Eden Hazard
Stats
Messi has not scored against Chelsea in 8 matches
Barcelona have won only one of their last 4 away knockout matches in Champions League
Chelsea have gone 9 out of their last 10 games at home without a lost in the Champions League
Prediction
Chelsea have regained their form after 2 suprising defeats to Bournemouth and Watford, ultimately returning to their winning habits after 2 3+ goal victories. Barcelona on the other hand have been doing good as well. Against Chelsea they have lost 4 games and tied 5 with this being said playing away they will not be looking to return to Spain without a positive result at Stamford. Look for these 2 teams to finish leveled in this tight contest.
Chelsea 2-2 Barcelona
Goal Scorer
Look for Suarez to get a goal here