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Big Game Focus: Barcelona v Chelsea

Soccer Football - Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg - FC Barcelona vs Chelsea - Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - March 14, 2018 Barcelona’s Lionel Messi scores their third goal REUTERS/Albert Gea

Barcelona will face off against Europa League winners Chelsea in the Rakuten Cup on Tuesday and the Big Game Focus takes a look at the big friendly. Bet on the match here.

Tuesday’s match will be Barcelona’s first round of pre-season matches and is a great opportunity for the youngsters to impress ahead of the La Liga season.

Chelsea will be playing their fourth match under Frank Lampard, who may look to tinker with his squad in his endeavor to find a winning formula ahead of the new season.

Encounters between the two sides have been known to be absolute crackers and we can expect more of the same as we head into this one.

Betting preview

The last time the two sides met it was Barcelona who emerged on top. Chelsea have not looked very convincing either which makes odds of 2.15 for a Barcelona win look attractive.

Both Teams to Score has landed in three of the last four encounters between the two sides. With the quality of forwards in question, you can definitely expect Both Teams to Score at odds of 1.55.

With goals expected, you can also bank on Over 2.5 Goals to land here. After all, that has happened in three of the last five meetings between the two. The odds are currently at 2.05.

Team news

Barcelona will be without Lionel Messi, Philippe Coutinho, and Luis Suarez who were involved in the Copa America and are enjoying an extended holiday.

Chelsea missed Tammy Abraham and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga against Kawasaki Frontale due to illness. N’Golo Kante has returned to the UK for further treatment to a knee injury he sustained last season. Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Willian and Antonio Rudiger are still recovering from various injuries.

Possible lineups

Barcelona: Neto; Semedo, Todibo, Umtiti, Alba; Monchu, Busquets, De Jong; Malcom, Abe, Griezmann.

Chelsea: Caballero; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Christensen, Alonso; Barkley, Mount, Bakayoko; Pedro, Kenedy, Giroud.

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