Three bold predictions for Chelsea vs Barcelona including a major concern for the visitors

Chelsea’s most highly anticipated European fixture of the season so far is fast approaching, with Barcelona next up in the Champions League.

The Spanish champions come to Stamford Bridge full of confidence after a convincing 4-0 win over Athletic Club on Saturday.

Chelsea, too, will be feeling good after leaving Turf Moor with three points and a couple of rested stars.

These two sides have played out some cracking ties over the years — Chelsea’s 2012 semi-final win under Roberto Di Matteo comes to mind. We can therefore feel confident that an entertaining night is in store.

Here are three predictions from The Chelsea Chronicle for Tuesday night’s clash.

Chelsea’s last five results vs Barcelona

Barcelona 3-0 Chelsea – 14/3/18
Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona – 20/2/18
Barcelona 2-2 Chelsea – 24/4/12
Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona – 18/4/12
Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona – 6/5/09

La Masia graduate Marc Cucurella scores against Barcelona

One thing Chelsea and Barcelona have in common is the quality produced by their academies. Marc Cucurella is a La Masia product, though he never appeared for the first team.

He will get his retribution on Tuesday with a long-overdue first goal of the season. Alan Smith is surprised Cucurella is not scoring more goals, having found the net seven times last campaign.

But what a moment it would be to open his account against the club that moulded him.

A fresh Moises Caicedo dominates a Pedri-less midfield

Barcelona will be without the injured Pedri on Tuesday night, a massive blow and a concern for Hansi Flick. The Spaniard is one of the world’s best, capable of running a game on his own. Just ask Newcastle fans.

With Pedri sidelined, Chelsea’s unit will feel confident in their ability to dictate play.

Enzo Fernandez is absolutely flying of late, and Moises Caicedo comes into this tie after a weekend off. There will still be some world-class players to contend with, but the Chelsea duo are world-class themselves.

Expect another commanding display.

Moises Caicedo celebrates with Chelsea teammate Enzo Fernandez after scoring against Liverpool in the Premier League. — Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images

More late drama in this storied fixture

We’ve been treated to some brilliant Champions League fixtures this season. The league phase has opened the door to blockbuster matchups in every round of games, and Chelsea vs Barcelona is right up there.

There’s no love lost between these two sides, but there is a respect.

What the big names have said in the past about Chelsea vs Barcelona

“There are players here who hate Chelsea more than Real Madrid. I never thought I would hear myself say that. I also never thought I would see something worse than the Boca and River Plate rivalry or Brazil v Argentina – but this is. We would rather play Arsenal, Manchester United or anyone else than be on the pitch with Chelsea.”
Lionel Messi

“I thought this could be the worst night of my footballing life, I was thinking towards double figures, I spent the first 20 minutes getting nowhere near Xavi and Iniesta”
Frank Lampard

“I always say this Barcelona team was the best of my generation, one team was capable of matching them in this era and that was us.”
John Terry

It could be that one side dominates proceedings, but we think a competitive 90 minutes is on the cards — that could be decided by some late drama.

And if we’re going by what the best narrative would be, a game decided by one of Estevao Willian or Lamine Yamal.

Opinion