Barcelona – Chelsea Prediction & Picks (14.03.2018)

Barcelona and Chelsea measured their strength at Camp Nou, in a return leg of this phase of the UEFA Champions League (8th Finals), after the draw by (1-1) in the first leg. The history of recent direct confrontations between these two teams indicates total balance, since there were 2 draws in the last 2 matches. In this game the home factor may be decisive, since Chelsea presents considerable differences in their results at home and as a visitor.

Barcelona:

The home team comes to this match back in advantage, after a draw as a visitor by (1-1), so a draw is enough for less than 1 goal to confirm the qualification to the next phase. This is a team that usually maintains its competitive levels in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 8 wins, 6 draws and 1 loss in away matches, with 28 goals scored and 8 conceded; against 13 wins and 2 draws in their stadium, with 40 goals scored and 6 suffered. The team comes to this match after a win away with Málaga by (0-2). In the last 10 home matches for all competitions, Barcelona won 9 and tied 1.

For this competition, he does not lose 7 games. Defensive consistency has been one of their best features, as they have only conceded goals in 2 of the last 7 matches, and their offense has scored consistently, as they have scored goals in 5 of the last 7 matches for this competition. In their away matches there is a tendency for goals, since 21 of the last 30 matches have ended with Over 2,5 goals. In 15 games, he suffered the first goal 6 times, but got the comeback in 3.

The Barcelona comes to this game with a victory in the field of Málaga, by 0-2, thus adding the second consecutive victory in the Spanish championship. We remember that the Catalans got a 1-1 draw in the first leg of these eighth-finals of the Champions League. In this match in his stadium, coach Ernesto Valverde must act in the usual tactical system, that is, in 4-3-3, privileging possession of the ball and organized attacks. Lionel Messi is the great star of this formation, with 32 goals scored in all competitions. For this match the coach can not count on the injured Semedo, Cardona, Denis Suarez and Sergi Roberto.

Chelsea:

The away team comes to this second leg at a disadvantage, because despite the draw in the first leg they suffered 1 goal at home. This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 5 wins, 4 draws and 6 losses in away matches, with 22 goals scored and 17 conceded; against 9 wins, 5 draws and 1 loss at their stadium, with 28 goals scored and 9 conceded. The team comes to this match after a home victory over Crystal Palace by (2-1). In the last 10 away matches for all competitions, Chelsea won 2, drew 3 and lost 5. The team allowed goals in 5 of the last 7 matches, so it has not presented great defensive solidity, but its attack has scored regularly, since they have scored goals in 6 of the last 7 matches for this competition. In their away matches there is a tendency for goals, since 19 of the last 28 matches have ended with Over 2,5 goals.

Chelsea started for this game with a home win against Crystal Palace, 2-1, returning to victories after three games without tasting the victory. After the draw in the first leg, the task was complicated for those in London. In this away game, coach Antonio Conte must act with a defensive strategy, looking only for the counterattack to exploit the back of the defense of the enemy. It is important to underline that the visitors have great competition in the fast transitions: Willian and Hazard are very fast and eximios in the transport of the ball towards the attack. On the other hand, Hazard is the best Chelsea marker in all competitions, with 15 goals scored. Everything indicates that the coach can count on all the players at his disposal.