Barcelona v Chelsea: Hazard and co could face UCL exit v Messi
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Having seen Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur crash out of the Champions League, Chelsea will be eager to avoid a similar fate.
But Antonio Conte’s men have a huge task ahead of them as they head to Barcelona with the tie poised at 1-1 from the first-leg.
Lionel Messi bagged a crucial away goal at Stamford Bridge, meaning Chelsea must score at the Camp Nou if they are to progress.
It’s a tall order. And our traders have the La Liga leaders as 8/15 to win tonight. Barca are also odds-on at 2/9 to qualify for the quarter-finals.
Chelsea are 5/1 to repeat their famous 2012 win at the venue, while 3/1 says they go through by any means.
This Barca side are a tough nut to crack under Ernesto Valverde, however. They’re still unbeaten in La Liga and the Champions League this season.
The key has been a resolute defence. The Catalan giants have conceded just twice in their last 11 home games.
Chelsea have lost their last four away games. There’s 33/20 about Barcelona to win to nil, while the hosts are 29/20 on the -1 handicap.
Messi broke his Chelsea drought at the Bridge last month at the ninth time of asking. The Argentine superstar is enjoying another fine season with 32 goals and 16 assists across all competitions.
The 30-year-old is 13/5 favourite to score first, and 3/4 anytime. His partner in crime Luis Suarez is 14/5 to net the opener and 5/6 anytime.
Conte will have to choose between Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud tonight. Whoever he chooses, they’re 8/1 apiece to break the deadlock.
Chelsea’s key men could be Eden Hazard and Willian. The former netted three times in the group stages and is available at 17/2 to score first.
As for Willian, the set-piece specialist has been in good form lately.
The Brazilian netted in the first leg and also bagged versus Crystal Palace on Saturday. He’s 12/1 to score first and the same price to net last.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
