UEFA Champions League action heats up as Chelsea prepares to host Barcelona in a key group-stage encounter. Both teams are just outside the top eight, two points behind, making this fixture pivotal for their hopes of advancing to the knockout stages. According to Opta statistics, Chelsea holds a slight advantage with a 41.7% chance of winning, while Barcelona’s probability stands at 34.5%.
Chelsea will be aiming to overturn recent disappointments after their 3-1 loss to Bayern Munich, while Barcelona looks to recover from a 2-1 defeat at the hands of PSG. Despite these setbacks, Barcelona’s away record against English sides provides hope. The Catalans have lost only two of their last nine away games in England—both to Manchester City (3-1, 2016) and Liverpool (4-0, 2019).
Rashford Leads Barcelona Amid Injury Concerns
Marcus Rashford has been a standout performer for Barcelona, scoring twice in their win at St James’ Park. He now has four goals and one assist in four Champions League matches, becoming only the second player in Barcelona history to contribute five goals in the first four games of a season, joining Hristo Stoichkov’s 1994 record.
Rashford’s return from illness is a boost for Barcelona, who will otherwise be missing key players, including Frenkie de Jong, Alejandro Balde, Gavi, Pedri, and Marc-André ter Stegen. Barcelona have been unstoppable in the Champions League, scoring in each of their last 24 matches, the longest scoring streak in the competition.
“Rashford’s form gives us confidence, but we know Chelsea’s young squad will test us,” said a Barcelona source.
Chelsea’s Youth and Estevao’s Promise
Chelsea, plagued by injuries to Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, Dario Esugo, and Romeu Lavia, will rely heavily on their youngest players. Estevao, Chelsea’s teenage sensation, has scored in the first two Champions League games since breaking into the starting lineup. At 18 years and 215 days, he could become the second youngest player to score in the first three Champions League starts, a record currently held by Kylian Mbappe.
Chelsea’s starting XI this season is the youngest in the Champions League, averaging just 23 years and 278 days. “Our young team is fearless,” said Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca. “Experience matters, but so does determination and energy on the field.”
Historically, Chelsea have held their own against Barcelona, losing only once in the last nine European encounters, with six matches ending in draws. However, Barcelona’s European pedigree still gives them a psychological edge, having won five of their last eight matches against the Blues.
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