Barcelona’s 6-2 demolition of Real Madrid has seen them installed as 13/8 favourites tonight, while the hosts are available at 9/5 with Bet365. Here’s the vital statistics, courtesy of our hombres at chickendinner:
» Chelsea have won their last six Champions League home games against foreign opposition.
» Away-goal chasing Barcelona have scored in 21 consecutive La Liga and Champions League away games.
» English sides have progressed on nine of the last ten occasions that they have faced Spanish opposition in two-legged Champions League knockout ties, including each of the last six.
Whereas the thought of Chelsea and Liverpool clashing again in the Champions League this season was greeted gloomily, the fifth pairing of Barcelona and the Blues in ten years has been eagerly anticipated. Hopefully, it won’t fail to match expectations like Barca’s semi-final encounters with Manchester United did last season:
ADVANTAGE BARCELONA?
Chelsea haven’t won a Champions League game at the Nou Camp - losing two and drawing two - and Barcelona have a fantastic home record this season - winning 22, drawing three and losing just two of their 27 games there this season. They have scored in every home match since last year’s semi-final first leg against Manchester United. Chelsea haven’t won any of their last seven Champions League matches on foreign soil. Pep Guardiola’s side are generally available at 8/11.
Otherwise Jose will punish them, just as he has done before…
Manchester United have the edge over Inter Milan because 67% of teams who have drawn 0-0 away have progressed in the second leg. However, they can’t afford any lapses of concentration, as this extract from our friends at chickendinner proves:
Mourinho sides have scored a goal in the last ten minutes on three of his previous five trips to Old Trafford. They have scored last there on four occasions yet can still be backed to grab the final goal at 15/8 with Bet365.
Click here to read the full preview for this match.
Liverpool/Real Madrid, Champions League, 7.45pm, ITV1
Juande Ramos has promised that the “famous Anfield roar” holds no fear for his side and who can blame him when it hasn’t intimidated teams like Stoke and Hull this season. The Sun today reported that 91% of teams who win the away leg 1-0 progress, bringing into question ITV’s decision to again give Liverpool prominence over Chelsea.
While the Reds should still qualify, here are five reasons why they won’t win tonight, courtesy of chickendinner:
1. Liverpool haven’t won consecutive home games since October. They have played twelve times at Anfield since their 1-0 win over Portsmouth over four months ago but have won just five of them.
2. Rafael Benitez’s side have won both the home and away legs of a Champions League knockout tie on just two of their last nine attempts.
3. Real Madrid have won four consecutive away games
Chelsea went about dismantling Portsmouth in spectacular style last weekend and Big Phil will now be charged with the task of maintaining treacherously high standards. Chelsea may not have it all their own way at Wigan, but should leave a half-empty JJB with a full complement of points. Here’s why…
1. Wigan have failed in six attempts to secure a Premier League victory over Chelsea, losing five and drawing the other.
2. In four of the last five seasons, Chelsea have won their opening two league fixtures. Chelsea beat Portsmouth 4-0 on the opening day this year.
3. Chelsea have taken maximum points from each of their three previous trips to the JJB, scoring six
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