Betting.Betfair

On each of the three occasions that Barca lost the first leg of a Champions League semi-final, the Catalans have exited the competition
Chelsea's 1-0 lead might look a slender advantage, but a clean sheet gives Roberto Di Matteo's side every chance of progressing, not least because the Blues will fancy themselves to score at the Nou Camp. For all their possession, Barcelona have managed just two shutouts in their last eight home matches in all competitions, and have conceded in all but one of their previous five fixtures in this competition. What's more goalkeeper Victor Valdes (52.9%) has the worst saves-to-shots ratio in this season's Champions League, with the exception of Borussia Dortmund's Roman Weidenfeller (40%).

Chelsea are the only side who have faced Barca more than four times in the Champions League who can boast a positive head-to-head record against the Catalans (W4, D4, L3)
It's surely no coincidence that Barcelona repeatedly struggle against the London club. The Blues are now unbeaten in their last six Champions League games against Barcelona, four of which have been draws. And the Spaniards have suffered more defeats in this competition to Chelsea than against any other side. Moreover, while Chelsea secured a creditable if unspectacular goalless draw at Arsenal last weekend, Barcelona fell to a dispiriting 2-1 reverse against Real Madrid.

Over these last six meetings, only once has each side managed to score more than a single goal in a game (2-2 at the Camp Nou in October 2006)
Five of the last six meetings of the sides have contained fewer than three goals, three of those seeing under 1.5 goals. Elsewhere, only three of Chelsea's previous 12 away fixtures in all competitions have produced in excess of two goals. As for Barcelona, Pep Guardiola's side have now failed to score in two of their last three clashes in the Champions League.

Recommended Bets:
Back Chelsea to qualify @ 3.0
Back the draw @ 7.0
Back under 2.5 goals @ 2.64

For more football betting articles, go to http://betting.betfair.com/football/