Match Preview

These two coaches are in rather different situations, ahead of our Chelsea vs Barcelona preview and soccer odds, with Ernesto Valverde’s side looking in far better shape coming into the business end of the UEFA Champions League.

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Barcelona are still unbeaten in their competition and have boasted a very good defensive record, with Valverde’s system and selections ensuring that the Blaugrana maintain a good level of control either home or away. Chelsea, meanwhile, have been slipping up with regularity at Stamford Bridge of late.

Our Chelsea vs Barcelona predictions back the away side to take a good first-leg result into the second clash at Camp Nou, which makes supporting the Spanish club to limit Chelsea and take an advantage home with them the crux of our Champions League tips.

The home side have won just one of their last four Champions League clashes at home, with the pressure being piled on Antonio Conte. The Blues managed to get a couple of late deals over the line in the January transfer window, but they are still looking a little light on inspiration.

Chelsea vs Barcelona Prediction and Betting Advice

Barcelona are doing extremely well in La Liga this season, with Valverde’s men still maintaining an unbeaten record heading into February. His style of play may be safe and controlled, but with the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in excellent form, they have the creation and killer edge to cause any side problems regardless of how they set up.

Unibet have the best odds on the Blaugrana to win in this knock-out tie first leg, with their performances in the Champions League thus far in the 2017/18 campaign being very reassuring indeed. They’re yet to concede a goal on their travels, drawing 0-0 twice and winning 1-0 on one occasion. All while rotating to accommodate their exploits domestically.

Chelsea, meanwhile, slipped up against both Atletico Madrid and Roma at Stamford Bridge, with their home ground not much of a fortress over the last few months. Norwich City and Bournemouth also managed to cause Conte’s men a lot of problems fairly recently, and Barcelona have far more quality to penalise any errors.

Our Chelsea vs Barcelona bets back this to be a tight game between two very tactically astute coaches. Both Conte and Valverde aren’t afraid to make changes and to try and exploit any advantages that they can compared to the opposition outfit, and for that reason alone, there should be a lot of actions and reactions in London.

Betfair offer the best odds on there being less than three clear goals at Stamford Bridge, which looks likely given how Barca have approached away fixtures in the Champions League during the group stages. Draws against Juventus and Olympiacos away from home, as well as a narrow victory over Sporting CP suggest that Valverde will be able to ease the Blaugrana towards a second-leg advantage.

Our Chelsea vs Barcelona betting tips suggest that Chelsea will struggle to create too much against a very balanced and well-regimented visiting outfit on Tuesday evening, with Eden Hazard being asked to do a lot of the creative aspect on his own to try and break down a well-organised Catalan unit.