Champions League
2009-04-28 - FC Barcelona vs Chelsea
A Sports Betting Pick by Bodog
Football: Europe, UEFA Champions League
Tuesday, 28th April 2009 - Kickoff 19:45
Chelsea at FC Barcelona
(Tuesday, Apr. 28, 2:45 p.m. Eastern)
The Blues look like a brand new team since their controversial decision to dump manager Luiz Felipe Scolari and bring in Guus Hiddink. His impeccable resume includes taking PSV Eindhoven to the Champions League semis in 2005.
Chelsea have won six times and drawn once in Premiership play since Hiddink took the reins; they've also advanced to this year's FA Cup final, and they put the boots to both Juventus and Liverpool to get to Tuesday's matchup.
Barca's path to the Champions League semis has been just as tumultuous. The 2006 title holders had what was for them a very poor 2008, finishing a distant third in La Liga and prompting manager Frank Rijkaard to step down.
The stewardship of Josep Guardiola and a dramatic roster makeover (including the sale of Ronaldinho and Deco) have vaulted Barcelona back to the top of the table with 25 wins, three draws and three losses in the highly competitive Spanish league.
Barcelona are the home side for Tuesday's opening leg of this two-game, total-goal series. They're priced at -150 to pick up the victory at Neu Camp; the Blues are staring at a +450 price tag with the draw at +230.
(for current lines, visit Bodog Sports).
This will be their first meeting since 2006, which is ancient history in soccer terms - back then Chelsea was coming off back-to-back English Premiership titles and managed a 2-2 draw in Barcelona.
The golden boot is on the other foot now.
Prediction: Barcelona 2, Chelsea 0
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Barcelona 2, Chelsea 0
