S.P. Read Esq: Chelsea v Barcelona

Our daily columnist and pundit S.P. Read Esq. looks ahead to Tuesday’s Champions League game between CHELSEA v BARCELONA and finds the best opportunities available on Star Spreads, the home of sports spread betting.

Massive night at the Bridge as Chelsea welcome Barcelona for the first leg in their Champions League Last 16 tie and I have to be with the visitors.

I can’t see Barcelona not scoring but think it could easily be worse than that for Chelsea who may have to travel to Spain with a deficit.

Obviously, Chelsea will raise their game tonight but I just can’t get out of my mind that they have only won four of their last 12 games across all competitions and those successive defeats against Bournemouth and Watford by an aggregate of 7-1 are still very fresh in the memory.

Barcelona are not at their vintage best by any means but still certain to be crowned La Liga Champions in a season where they remain unbeaten and arch rivals Real Madrid have been bitterly disappointing.

Barca don’t tend to play as well on their European travels as they do at Camp Nou and would undoubtedly settle for a draw tonight or an away goal with a one goal deficit but there’s every reason to think they can do better than that.

Chelsea’s manager Antonio Conte said: “This team is one of the best in the world – maybe they are favourites to win this competition.

“On the other hand we must be excited because we have a great opportunity to play a massive game against a really strong team and to show which is our level,” the Italian added. “We have to try to have the perfect game.”

Chelsea v Barcelona
UEFA Champions League Last-16 1st Leg
19:45 BT Sport 2 / BT Sport 4K UHD

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Maximum 10 matches)
Apr 2012 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Barcelona 2-2 Chelsea
Apr 2012 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona
May 2009 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona
Apr 2009 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Barcelona 0-0 Chelsea
Oct 2006 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Barcelona 2-2 Chelsea
Oct 2006 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona
Mar 2006 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Barcelona 1-1 Chelsea
Feb 2006 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Chelsea 1-2 Barcelona
Mar 2005 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Chelsea 4-2 Barcelona
Feb 2005 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Barcelona 2-1 Chelsea

A nice profit with the Star Spreads buy of the first goal last night in the Wigan game and I’m repeating the prescription tonight. Whilst I think there will be goals I think it will be a cagey start and for a profit we need the first goal to arrive after 38 minutes.

CLICK FOR CHELSEA v BARCELONA MARKETS ON STAR SPREADS

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BUY FIRST MATCH GOAL for 40 points at 38 with Star Spreads

• Any spread prices quoted are indicative and as always prices are subject to fluctuation.
• Please note the opinion, views and forecasts above are of the author and not of Star Spreads.