Live on Skysports 2: Tue 19.45: Barcelona are 4/9 (Ladbrokes) to overturn Chelsea’s lead to reach the Champions League final.
Chelsea rode their luck a touch but also put in a stout defensive performance to keep Barcelona out and chalk up a 1-0 victory in the first leg of the pair’s Champions League semi-final tie at Stamford Bridge. However, bookies still believe the Blues are up against it in terms of qualification, Skybet making them 2/1 outsiders to get through and Ladbrokes rating the Catalans club at 4/9 to reach next month’s final in Munich.
Back on home soil Barca are just 1/4 with Boylesports to secure a second leg victory while Roberto Di Matteo’s troops are Stan James’ 12/1 underdogs and a draw, which would be enough to see Chelsea progress, is 11/2 (Blue Square).
Pep Guardiola’s charges however, created enough chances to win two games in the first encounter and unlikely to be as profligate in front of goal again, they could cruise to victory at the Camp Nou.
Blue Square make them 8/13 in the handicaps when kicking off a goal in arrears and in the same market they’re 15/8 via Paddy Power when starting two goals behind. More specifically, Stan James post 7/1 against a 3-0 Barcelona triumph and with the hosts likely to pin the Blues back by dominating possession, it’s worth considering Paddy Power’s 11/10 for any victory ‘to nil’.
In attack, Lionel Messi is just 11/5 courtesy of BetVictor to break the deadlock but the same’s firm 2/1 for the Argentine wizard to notch at least twice is a marginally better bet.
Recommended Bets:
Barcelona (-2) to beat Chelsea – 15/8 (Paddy Power)
Lionel Messi to score two or more goals – 2/1 (BetVictor)
Compare all Champions League odds and bet at the best price.
