Chelsea
Chelsea have shown great defensive quality last week at Camp Nou. Of course, the experienced Dutch coach Guus Hiddink contributed to that a lot cause he prepared hiw team very well for the game against Barcelona. The goal has been accomplished, his team held mighty Barcelona to a goalless draw and with a huge confidence is awaiting them at home in London. Great news for the Blues’ coach is that left-back Ashley Cole is returning to the squad after a longer break and will most probably replace Bosingwa. It’s expected that at their Stamford Bridge Chelsea will have the same approach and focus to the game in stopping Messi, Iniesta and Xavi, but also their other dangerous players like in Barcelona last time. Hiddink is famous for setting up great defense, which he demonstrated in the first leg. Players of the English representative will again focus on the aggressive and tough defense, where they won’t allow Barcelona’s technique to reveal much. They will be seeking for their chance through set pieces, which is the worst part of their opponent’s play. Of course, Chelsea also proved they can play great on counterattacks, as they will surely have a few of them due to very open visitors’ play. We remember that great Drogba’s chance when he came up to Valdes face to face but didn’t react quickly enough so a great chance for the Blues failed. (Source: 365tip.com)
Barcelona
Barcelona have recorded a bit unexpected result at home, not managing to score a single goal against a team from London, which hasn’t happened on Camp Nou for almost a year. Guardiola didn’t expect such aggressive and defensive-minded game of the Blues. His game creators such as Messi, Iniesta and Xavi, and even offensive right-back Dani Alves, didn’t have enough space and time to present the play they’re displaying in Spanish Primera all the time, so it can freely be said that some of them were almost invisible on the pitch. Barcelona can’t play defensive football so therefore they will be very offensive-oriented in London. (Source: 365tip.com)
Facts and Stats
- FC Barcelona and Chelsea are playing against each other for the 10th time in the Champions League.
- They also met in the semi-finals of the 1965-66 Fairs Cup. Barca proceeded to the final after a 5-0 win in the decisive match at home. Both clubs had won their regular home ties 2-0.
- In total, Barcelona have won five of the 12 matches played against Chelsea with the Londoners winning four.
- Both clubs have progressed twice in their four previous knock-out match-ups in the CL.
- Barcelona have failed to beat Chelsea in their last four matches. This is their joint longest current winless run against a club in the Champions League/Champions Cup. They have also not won in their last four matches against Manchester United.
- Barca’s last win against Chelsea was on 22 February 2006; 1-2 at Stamford Bridge. This is Chelsea’s only home defeat in 11 matches against Spanish clubs; seven of those matches have been won.
- Chelsea’s last two home matches against Spanish clubs resulted in draws, 1-1 and 0-0, both against Valencia.
- Barcelona have lost 15 of their 29 away matches against English clubs. They have won six and drawn eight. Their last win on English soil was on 6 March 2007, at Liverpool (0-1).
- In the last four CL seasons Barcelona have been eliminated by Chelsea (2004-05), Liverpool (2006-07) and Manchester United (2007-08). In the 2005-06 season they won the CL final against Arsenal 2-1.
- In the 2-2 draw between Barcelona and Chelsea on 31 October 2006, 10 players received a yellow card. The record number of yellow cards in a CL match is 11.
(Source: news.bbc.co.uk)
Form Guide
Chelsea
May 2 Chelsea 3-1 Fulham (PREMIER LEAGUE)
Apr 28 Barcelona 0-0 Chelsea (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE)
Apr 25 West Ham United 0-1 Chelsea (PREMIER LEAGUE)
Apr 22 Chelsea 0-0 Everton (PREMIER LEAGUE)
Apr 18 Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea (FA CUP)
Barcelona
May 2 Real Madrid 2-6 Barcelona (LA LIGA)
Apr 28 Barcelona 0-0 Chelsea (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE)
Apr 25 Valencia 2-2 Barcelona (LA LIGA)
Apr 22 Barcelona 4-0 Sevilla (LA LIGA)
Apr 18 Getafe 0-1 Barcelona (LA LIGA)
Team News
Ashley Cole will come back from suspension and most likely he will replace Jose Bosingwa even though his performance at left-back last week was amazing. Michael Ballack will also return after being rested. Hiddink will again be without Deco, Joe Cole and Paolo Ferreira. From last week’s crowded midfield, John Obi Mikel is likely to miss out.
For Barca, Milito is carrying a long-term injury; Marquez got injured in the last match and will be out for the next couple of months, while captain Carlos Puyol will miss the game due to accumulated yellow cards. Thierry Henry’s phantom knee-knock has seemingly cleared up and he has travelled with the squad.
Prediction (will be sent to GoTipsters Subscribers ONLY, right before the match starts)
Subscribe to GoTipsters and Get your PREMIUM Champions League picks and predictions.
GoTipsters provides you with Free PREMIUM High-Accuracy Soccer Picks and Soccer Betting Advice from our experts on how to make profit with ONLY 15% winning rate, how to place winning bets, how to turn your losses to profits, and how to consistently make huge profits from soccer bettings.
Join GoTipsters now!
Related posts:
No comments yet.