(Source:https://www.twoque.com/)
Overview
With all the 7 teams ( 6 officially however Besiktas will be unable to reverse realistically) finalized for the quarter final of the Champions League which will draw the match ups this Friday one final and crucial match will take place at Camp Nou. The 2nd leg of the Round of 16 fixture between FC Barcelona and Chelsea. Willian went on to draw first blood against the Catalan side however Messi sealed a draw for Barcelona at Stamford Bridge late in the 2nd half setting up for the finale and breaking his scoring drought against the Blues. Will Barcelona take advantage of the crucial away goal and progress at home or will Chelsea pull off the upset?
Form
(Source: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com)
Barcelona have been undefeated (4 Wins, 3 Draws) in this year's Champions League campaign which gives them much added confidence going into this match. With Messi's crucial game tying away goal at Stamford Bridge all Barcelona needs to advance is a draw. Furthermore at home during the Champions League this season the Catalan side have not yet conceded a single goal but in turn have scored 5. Over the weekend Barcelona played to last place side Malaga in La Liga action winning 2-0 without Messi due to his sons birth however he will be available to play for Wednesday's game. They will be without Defender, Nelson Semedo and Midfielder Denis Suarez while Midfielder Andres Iniesta is doubtful.
Champions League Form: 2 Wins 0 Losses 3 Draws
Domestic Form: 4 Wins 0 Losses 1 Draw
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Chelsea come into this fixture knowing that if they were able to hold onto 1 goal for the final 15 minutes of in the 1st leg they would be in a very different possession. However the man himself Lionel Messi found an equalizer and now the Blues will be tasked with giving Barcelona their first defeat in Champions League this year in order to advance ... at Camp Nou where they have yet to concede in this year's tournament. This is not good news for Chelsea they have lost 4 games in a row away from home. However if they'll be hopeful to get any result in the 2nd leg, Willian will be relied on to step up to the call as he has been in tremendous form for the side scoring 5 goals in the past 5 matches in all competitions. The Blues will have a full squad only missing Defender David Luiz and Midfielder Ross Barkley.
Champions League Form: 1 Win 1 Loss 3 Draws
Domestic Form: 3 Wins 2 Losses 0 Draws
Head to Head: Out of the 7 meetings between the clubs each has ended with a draw except for a Chelsea win in 2012 against the Catalan side
Men to watch
(Source:http://www.myrepublica.com)
FC Barcelona- Lionel Messi
(Source:https://dj0j0ofql4htg.cloudfront.net)
Chelsea- Willian
Stats
Barcelona are undefeated in this year's Champions League campaign
Chelsea have lost 4 games in a row on the road
Barcelona have yet to concede at home on the Champions League stage
Prediction
Barcelona 1-0 Chelsea
Barcelona come into this match having conceded 0 goals in the Champions League so far and I predict that this trend will continue. Chelsea have not been good away, and with Barcelona having gone undefeated at home this poses a bad combination for the Blues. Look for Barcelona to play looking to keep the lead they have however pose for attack whenever the opportunity arises.
Goal Scorer/TOTW Inform pick for the match
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi
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(Source:http://www.myrepublica.com)