UCL: Things to know as Chelsea host Barcelona

Chelsea and Barcelona – two former Champions League winners enter Tuesday night’s showdown level on seven points from their first four league-phase fixtures, making the clash at Stamford Bridge pivotal in the race for automatic top-eight qualification.

Both sides sit just outside the cut-off and know that victory could significantly strengthen their push toward the last 16.

Chelsea arrive in impressive domestic form, riding a wave of three consecutive Premier League wins against Tottenham, Wolves, and Burnley, all without conceding. Enzo Maresca’s young squad has surged to second place behind leaders Arsenal, with the Blues remarkably going 50 straight Premier League matches without starting a player aged 30 or above. Barcelona, meanwhile, remain locked in their usual battle with Real Madrid for La Liga supremacy.

Hansi Flick’s men enjoyed a triumphant return to the refurbished Camp Nou on Saturday, dispatching Athletic Bilbao 4–0 in front of their home fans for the first time in 909 days. Ferran Torres struck twice, Lamine Yamal delivered two assists, Robert Lewandowski got his trademark goal, and Fermin Lopez added another as Barça reclaimed top spot in Spain.

The history between the two giants has swung dramatically across eras. Chelsea famously stunned Barcelona in 2012 under Roberto Di Matteo on their way to their maiden Champions League title, while the Catalans returned the favour in 2017–18 with a commanding 3–0 round-of-16 aggregate win.

Tuesday’s meeting may not carry knockout stakes, but both teams urgently need points after inconsistent European starts. Barcelona were held to a chaotic 3–3 draw by Club Brugge last time out, while Chelsea managed only a point away to Qarabag.

Barça’s defensive fragility remains a theme, having conceded in every Champions League match this season, though Saturday’s clean sheet ended an 11-game run without one. Chelsea, by contrast, looks steadier at the back and continues to rely on a blossoming young core mixed with emerging leadership.

Team News

Chelsea captain Reece James was substituted at half-time against Burnley, but Maresca clarified the decision was precautionary and pre-planned. Wesley Fofana, rested for “protection,” should return to contention, while Tosin Adarabioyo is pushing for a start after starring at the weekend. However, the Blues remain without Romeo Lavia (thigh), Cole Palmer (groin/toe), Dario Essugo (thigh), Levi Colwill (knee), and the still-suspended Mykhaylo Mudryk.

For Barcelona, Alejandro Balde was withdrawn after a head knock but is expected to be available. Marcus Rashford is doubtful due to illness, though Raphinha made his comeback from a hamstring injury, and Ferran Torres’s brace makes him difficult to drop. Frenkie de Jong returns after a domestic suspension, but Pedri (hamstring), Gavi (knee), and Marc-André ter Stegen (back) remain sidelined.

Chelsea’s possible XI:

Sanchez; James, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Pedro, Garnacho; Delap

Barcelona’s possible XI:

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J. Garcia; Kounde, E. Garcia, Cubarsi, Balde; Casado, De Jong; Yamal, Lopez, Torres; Lewandowski

Match Details

Location: London, England

Stadium: Stamford Bridge

Date: Tuesday, Nov. 25

Kick-off: 9 p.m

Referee: Slavko Vinčić (SVN)

VAR: Christian Dingert (GER)

Betting Tips / Prediction:

Over 1.5 goals

Both teams to score

Chelsea 2–4 Barcelona