The UEFA Champions League semi-finals continue at 19:45 GMT on Wednesday night in west London, with Chelsea scheduled to host La Liga giants FC Barcelona at Stamford Bridge.
Goals from Didier Drogba (43′), Juan Mata (49′), Ramires (77′), Frank Lampard (81′) and Florent Malouda (90′) led Chelsea to a 5-1 rout of Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, April 15, sealing the Blues’ place in the FA Cup final which will be held at Wembley Stadium on 5 May 2012.
Can Chelsea build on their momentum from the weekend and upset the Catalan conquerors at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night?
I will answer this question and many more in the following preview. As always, we’ll kick-off with the betting odds for Chelsea v FC Barcelona.
Betting Odds
Chelsea (4/1) v FC Barcelona (3/4); Draw (16/5)
Bet of the Day
Wednesday’s bet of the day is Barcelona to defeat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, paying 3/4 odds.
Club Comparison: Chelsea v FC Barcelona
Since losing 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City on 21 March, Chelsea have embarked on a seven-match unbeaten run.
The Blues will surely need all the momentum and luck they can get to beat Barca.
On the other side of the touchline, the Catalans are on a purple patch of sorts, and are enjoying a 15-match unbeaten run at the moment. Advantage Barca.
Additionally, the Blues have posted a 10-3-3 home record in the Premier League this season, scoring 33 goals while conceding 20.
In contrast, Barca are 10-5-2 away from home, having bagged 32 goals and conceded 16. Thus, something’s got to give in west London on Wednesday.
Club Leaders: Chelsea v FC Barcelona
Chelsea are undoubtedly led by veteran presences Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba. Drogba has netted a team-high four Champions League goals this term, while Lampard has hit three.
Somewhat surprisingly, Fernando Torres has been the Blues’ main creative force in the UCL in 2011-12, tallying a team-high four assists.
With that said, I fully expect Drogba to get the nod over the Spaniard.
Now then, wouldn’t it be something if Torres played the role of supersub and lead Chelsea to victory? Is it written in the stars as they say? We shall find out soon enough.
Meanwhile, every player in Barcelona’s starting XI is a threat, but the main man is surely the little Argentine Lionel Messi.
Messi has bagged a Champions League leading 14 goals in 9 appearances. As if that weren’t enough, Messi has also posted four assists, which is tied for second most in the competition. Enough said I suppose. Once again, advantage Barca.
Can Chelsea upset Barca at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday?
Prediction
Barca cruise to victory, 3-0 Catalans. Odds: Over 2.5 goals in Barcelona’s favor (2.10)
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