Chelsea vs Barcelona Preview, Lineups & Prediction | Champions League Matchday 5
Matchday 5 of the 2025/26 Champions League league stage brings a high-stakes meeting between reigning UEFA Conference League champions Chelsea and five-time European champions Barcelona, with both teams fighting to break into the top eight.
This preview covers predicted lineups, injury news, head-to-head history, betting odds and a score prediction for Tuesday's Chelsea vs Barcelona match.
Chelsea enter the week 12th in the Champions League table on seven points, two behind eighth place. Through four matches, the Blues have dropped points in both away fixtures (one loss, one draw) while winning both at Stamford Bridge.
Barcelona sit 11th, also on seven points but ahead on goal difference. Their three away fixtures have produced one win, one draw and one defeat.
Chelsea vs. Barcelona Head-to-Head Record
Chelsea and Barcelona have met on 17 previous occasions, dating back to 1966 when Barca defeated Chelsea 2-0 in the first leg of the Fairs Cup Semifinal.
Barcelona narrowly lead the all-time series, having won six times and drawn on five occasions. Most recently, Barca eliminated Chelsea from the 2017/18 Champions League in the Round of 16.
Fixture Trivia
Matchday 5 Trivia: In the Second Leg of the 2012 Champions League semifinal against Barcelona, Chelsea were shown six yellow cards and one red card. Which Chelsea player was the recipient of the red card?
Matchday 4 Trivia: Who scored the lone goal in Bayern Munich's win over Paris Saint-Germain in the 2019/2020 Champions League Final?
(Answer to Matchday 5 trivia question revealed in Matchday 6's preview article)
Betting Odds and Predictions for Chelsea vs. Barcelona Match
UEFA Champions League Odds Comparisons
Moneyline Odds
DraftKings: CHE +135 Draw +300, BAR +170
FanDuel: CHE +135 Draw +280, BAR +170
BetMGM: CHE +130 Draw +290, BAR +170
Bet365: CHE +130 Draw +280, BAR +175
Visit RotoWire all season for exclusive sports betting picks and our weekly Premier League betting show. Remember that betting apps vary in terms of odds, so we have an easy-to-use odds page that allows you to shop for the best lines at DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and PointsBet. Claim over a thousand dollars in bonuses by signing up at the best sports betting sites using the best sportsbook promos.
RECENT FORM
Chelsea (WWDWW) have rebounded from a 2-2 draw at Qarabag FK with two league victories. Despite the hiccup on the road in Kazakhstan, the Blues are unbeaten across their last 11 fixtures (10 wins, one draw).
Barcelona (WWDWL) have scored eight goals across their last two league fixtures after playing to a frenetic 3-3 draw versus Club Brugge in Matchday 4. The Catalans's 12 Champions League goals scored this season are third-most in the competition.
FORMATIONS
Chelsea employ a 4-2-3-1 under Enzo Maresca with an emphasis on controlling games. When in possession, look for a Chelsea full-back to join the attack to create a 3-3-5 look in the opponent's half.
Barcelona have commonly employed a 4-2-3-1 under Flick, who allows for a dynamism within the team. Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski are typically paired in attack, with the former sometimes playing alongside Lewandowski and at other times, playing off the left wing.
The system has been built upon the ability of a midfield double-pivot operating in a box-to-box role as they seek to control the pace of play.
LINEUP NOTES & INJURY NEWS
Champions League Predicted & Confirmed Lineups
Chelsea Injury & Lineup News
Chelsea's most pressing injury concern is with their world-class playmaker Cole Palmer (groin, toe). There was initial optimism that Palmer could be available to return versus Barcelona. However, according to Nizaar Kinsella of the BBC, the attacker stubbed his toe at home last week and will miss a fourth successive Champions League tilt.
In Palmer's absence, Joao Pedro could drop into attacking midfield. If Maresca prefers Pedro in the striker role, look for Estevao to migrate from his position on the right-flank inside to the No. 10 role.
In the midfield, Dario Essugo (thigh) is yet to play a minute this season and is eyeing a late-December return. Additionally, perpetually hobbled Romeo Lavia (quadriceps) has logged just 179 minutes this season and is currently recovering form a muscle injury he suffered just eight minutes into Chelsea's draw at Qarabag FK.
With the team short on options in the center of the park, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez have played the lion's share of minutes with Andrey Santos playing a rotational role. If Maresca opts to bring a nuanced layer of unpredictability to the fixture, he has also deployed Reece James, typically the team's starting right full-back, in a central midfield role.
Levi Colwill (knee) remains a long-term absence after suffering an ACL injury in August.
Barcelona Injury & Lineup News
Full-back Alex Balde (head) was removed at halftime of Barcelona's 4-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao. However, in the post-match press conference, Flick intimated the removal was precautionary by stating, "He's fine. At the end of halftime, we had to make a decision because he had a head injury," according to Gian Ulloa from Tribuna. If Balde is unexpectedly unavailable Tuesday, look for Gerard Martin to slot into the left full-back role.
Flick also be without key midfield maestro Pedri (strain) as he continues to recover from a muscle injury suffered in Barcelona's 2-1 El Classico defeat in late October. Pedri's absence compounds problems for Flick as fellow-midfielder Gavi (knee) is expected out through at least February of 2026.
In their absences, Marc Casado, Frenkie de Jong and Dani Olmo have absorbed the majority of Barcelona's midfield minutes. Expect to see de Jong in the starting XI Tuesday. Dani Olmo will likely partner with de Jong if Flick opts for a more expansive game plan. Conversely, if the Barcelona coach prefers a more compact shape, Marc Casado should see significant minutes.
KEY MATCHUPS
Wonderkids versus Fullbacks
Lamine Yamal & Estevao are two of the most exciting and promising young talents in Europe. Each has netted two goals across their most recent two Champions League appearances.
Estevao has feasted on Qarabag and Ajax to secure his first two Champions League goal contributions. However, the young Brazilian is sure to face a more arduous task in one-on-one situations Tuesday, as he'll most likely come up against Balde or Martin. If Martin features for the Catalans, look for Estevao to use his speed and agility to create chances from the by-line. If Balde features in Flick's starting XI, the battle will be strength-on-strength as each player possesses top-level speed and agility.
At 18-years of age, Yamal will already be making his 27th career Champions League appearance Tuesday. Conversely, his compatriot and presumed defensive counterpart, Marc Cucurella, is likely to make just his 12th Champions League appearance. Cucurella is regularly called-upon to join the Chelsea midfield when the Blues are enjoying sustained possession. Look for Yamal to attempt to exploit the space in-behind and match-up on a less-pacey central defender when Cucurella moves further up the pitch.
Chelsea age versus Barcelona wisdom
Perhaps the most striking disparity in experience Tuesday will be In the juxtaposition of Barcelona's striker Robert Lewandowski and the presumed central defensive pairing of Chelsea, Wesley Fofana & Tosin Adarabioyo.
Lewandowski has scored the third-most Champions League goals in history (105) across 135 appearances (126 starts) over 15 seasons. Conversely, Chelsea's top-three center-backs (Adarabioyo, Fofana & Trevoh Chalobah) have combined for 23 total Champions League appearances (17 starts). If Lewandowski is able to leverage is cunning and guile to success, he has the potential to overwhelm under-prepared and under-experienced defenders.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Moises Caicedo has continued to play his customary role of destroyer in the center of the park, a la former Chelsea legend N'golo Kante. However, in addition to his defensive prowess, the Ecuadorian has displayed increased elements of progressive play this season.
Defensively, anticipate Caicedo to pinch the space between the Chelsea backline and their midfield to limit the space for Lewandowski. In attack, look for the holding-midfielder to pick-up spaces around the edge of the area with the aim of picking the defense-unlocking pass or smashing a shot from distance. Expect Caicdeo's ability to impact proceedings from box-to-box to give Maresca a tactical edge for which Flick will not have a retort.
PREDICTED RESULT
Chelsea 2 - Barcelona 1
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Chelsea: Dec. 9 at Atalanta
Barcelona: Dec. 9 vs. Eintrach Frankfurt
