Both Chelsea and Barcelona have picked up seven points from their first four matches, a mixed run of results that leaves them sitting outside the automatic last 16 positions in 12th and 11th place.
Chelsea were the latest side to be frustrated by surprise contenders Qarabag, and they had to fight hard to take even a point from their hosts on matchday four. Alejandro Garnacho struck late to seal a 2-2 draw for the Club World Cup champions, extending their wait for a first away win in this season’s competition. However, at Stamford Bridge they have been perfect, defeating both Benfica and Ajax.
The Blues have not lost a European group stage match at home since 2019, going 16 games unbeaten in that time and winning 12. Their domestic form has also surged ahead of Barcelona’s visit, with three straight Premier League wins without conceding and a recent 2-0 victory at Burnley lifting them to second in the table.
Chelsea’s youthful squad continues to impress, with the club remarkably going 50 Premier League matches without starting a player aged 30 or above. Barcelona, on the other hand, are benefiting from both youthful energy and veteran quality.
The doors of Camp Nou finally reopened on Saturday, and Barcelona marked the occasion with a dominant 4-0 win over Athletic Bilbao, their first match at the revamped stadium in 909 days. Ferran Torres struck twice, Lamine Yamal delivered two assists, Robert Lewandowski scored his expected goal, and Fermin Lopez added another as Hansi Flick’s team temporarily climbed to the top of La Liga.
Barcelona also ended a long wait for a clean sheet, shutting out an opponent for the first time in 11 matches. Their high defensive line went unpunished this time, although Club Brugge managed to exploit it during a dramatic 3-3 draw in the previous Champions League outing. Barca have conceded in every match of the competition so far.
Barcelona shut out Chelsea in their most recent meeting, claiming a 3-0 aggregate win in the 2017-18 last 16, but their record at Stamford Bridge is far less encouraging. They have won just once in seven previous visits, a 2-1 success on their way to lifting the 2005-06 trophy.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Reece James caused some initial worry at Turf Moor on Saturday when the injury-hit Chelsea captain was substituted at half time, but Maresca later explained that the decision was planned and not the result of a new setback.
Wesley Fofana was left out of the squad against Burnley purely as a precaution, meaning he should be available to face the Spanish champions. Even so, Tosin Adarabioyo has made a strong case for keeping his place after an outstanding performance at the weekend.
Chelsea are still without Romeo Lavia, Cole Palmer, Dario Essugo and Levi Colwill, while Mykhaylo Mudryk remains unavailable as he continues to serve his doping suspension, which has kept him out for nearly a year.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick also replaced one of his full backs at halftime on Saturday after Alejandro Balde took a knock to the head, though the club currently has no major concerns over his fitness for Tuesday’s match.
Marcus Rashford’s involvement remains uncertain due to illness, but Raphinha made his return from a hamstring injury by coming off the bench against Athletic. Ferran Torres, fresh from scoring twice, has certainly strengthened his case to stay in the lineup.
Frenkie de Jong is available again after completing a domestic suspension, but Pedri, Gavi and Marc-Andre ter Stegen remain sidelined for the visitors.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; James, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Pedro, Garnacho; Delap
Barcelona possible starting lineup:
J. Garcia; Kounde, E. Garcia, Cubarsi, Balde; Casado, De Jong; Yamal, Lopez, Torres; Lewandowski
EXPERT PREDICTION
Chelsea 2-2 Barcelona
