Chelsea vs. Barcelona Preview
Chelsea is set to host Barcelona on Tuesday for Matchday 5 of the Champions League. The English team experienced a rocky start, losing their first match to Bayern Munich but rebounded with two wins against Benfica and Ajax. They later drew with Qarabag and are currently ranked 12th with a total of seven points. Conversely, Barcelona is placed 11th, also with seven points, after a series of mixed results: they won against Newcastle, suffered a loss to PSG, secured a 6-1 victory over Olympiakos, and drew 3-3 against Club Brugge.
Lamine Yamal, who missed the match against Newcastle due to a groin strain, is expected to play against Chelsea, marking his first official appearance in England. He will be up against Chelsea’s Estevao, who has been a standout performer, scoring twice and achieving goals in both of the team’s initial Champions League fixtures. Estevao could potentially become the second-youngest player to score in his first three Champions League games.
Key Match Information
- Date: Tuesday, November 25
- Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
- Live Stream: Paramount+
- Odds: Chelsea +134; Draw +288; Barcelona +170
Projected Lineups
Chelsea XI: Robert Sanchez, Reece James, Arabioyotos, Charova Treatment, Marine Marsh, Moses Caicedo, Fernander, Neto, João Pedro, Garnacho Alejandro, Liam Delap.
Barcelona XI: Joan Garcia, Jules Koundé, Ronald Araujo, Pau Kubalsi, Gerard Martin, Frenkie de Jong, Mark Casado, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Rafinha, Robert Lewandowski.
Prediction
Expect a thrilling match loaded with goals from both sides; I predict a scoreline of Chelsea 3, Barcelona 4.
Viewing Information
You can catch all the Champions League action live on Paramount+. Coverage for Matchday 5 includes a pre-match show on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Network ahead of the early games. The Champions League Today post-match show will also provide insights and highlights after the day’s matches.
TV Broadcast Schedule
All times are in US/East
| Event | Time | How to Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Champions League pre-match | 12:00 PM | Paramount+, CBS Sports Network |
| Ajax vs Benfica | 12:45 PM | Paramount+, CBS Sports Network |
| Chelsea vs Barcelona | 3:00 PM | Paramount+ |
| Post-match recap | 5:00 PM | Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network |
Fan Take
This matchup is significant because both teams are vying for a strong position in the Champions League, and a win could reinvigorate their campaigns. For fans, the clash of these titans not only promises high-stakes drama but also showcases the rich history and competitive spirit inherent in European soccer.
