Chelsea vs Barcelona Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
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One of the stellar match ups in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League this week sees Chelsea take on Barcelona at Stamford Bridge in west London.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Amazon Prime / US – Paramount+
Chelsea preview: Impressive Chelsea
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea remain somewhat underwhelming in terms of their performance level but the Blues are currently stringing an impressive run of results together as they seek to build on his first season last season.
They most recently eased to a comfortable 2-0 defeat of Burnley at Turf Moor at the weekend. In the UEFA Champions League, they were most recently held to a 2-2 draw against Azeri champions Qarabag in Baku a few weeks ago.
Barcelona preview: Entertaining Blaugrana
Spanish champions Barcelona have been thrilling to watch once again and they reopened Camp Nou at the weekend with a 4-0 demolition of Athletic Club with a Ferran Torres brace sandwiched by strikes from Robert Lewandowski and Fermin Lopez.
The Blaugrana are now on a four-match unbeaten run of form across all competitions since a defeat to Real Madrid in El Clasico, but the Catalans have remained susceptible, particularly with their high-line being exposed.
Chelsea team news: Still no Palmer
Maresca confirmed last week that a home accident caused a toe injury for Cole Palmer and he is missing this one, alongside the likes of Levi Colwill and Romeo Lavia due to longer-term injury issues.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Cucurella; James, Caicedo; Neto, Fernandez, Gittens; Pedro
Unavailable: Colwill (Injured), Lavia (Injured), Essugo (Injured), Mudryk (Disciplinary), Palmer (Injured)
Questionable: Fofana (Fitness)
Barcelona team news: Key men return
First-choice goalkeeper Joan Garcia has returned to full fitness alongside Raphinha. However, Spanish left-back Alejandro Balde is a doubt.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Garcia; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Martin; Olmo, De Jong; Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Rashford; Lewandowski
Unavailable: Ter Stegen (Injured), Pedri (Injured), Gavi (Injured)
Questionable: Balde (Fitness)
Chelsea vs Barcelona prediction
Enzo Maresca and his style of football is very deliberate with an intent to simply maintain possession and try and dictate the tempo of the game. Barcelona’s biggest weakness is their high-line. The concern for the hosts will be that they are unwilling to adapt their style to try and get in behind the Catalans on a regular basis. Barca can out score pretty much anyone in Europe and so should be sided with at the Bridge.
Chelsea vs Barcelona Tip: Barcelona to win & both teams to score
