Chelsea will have paid attention to how Barcelona lined up vs Eibar

Chelsea vs Barcelona

All focus will be on Stamford Bridge this midweek as Chelsea host Barcelona in the Champions League.

The clubs have a long history in the UCL with mixed results.

But heading into the upcoming last-16 tie, many will rate Barcelona as red-hot favourites to progress to the quarterfinals.

Barcelona have only lost once all season, and Chelsea have been in mixed form of late.

The Blues due impress against Hull on Friday night in the FA Cup as they won 4-0.

But after recent defeats to Bournemouth and Watford, can Chelsea really beat Barcelona over two legs?

Eibar 0 – Barcelona 2

Barcelona warmed up for Chelsea on Saturday night with a 2-0 away win at Eibar.

Eibar have been one of the shock teams in La Liga this season, and they headed into the Barca game seventh in the table.

Luis Suarez gave the Catalans the lead in the 16th minute to settle any nerves. While Jordi Alba scored a late second after Fabian Orellana was sent off for Eibar in the 66th.

Chelsea will be happy with Barcelona’s XI

Playing Barcelona is never easy, so Chelsea will be looking for any slim advantage they can get.

In that regard, Antonio Conte may be pleased with how Barcelona lined up for the Eibar game.

Perhaps Ernesto Valverde’s strangest decision concerned former Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho.

Coutinho is banned for playing for Barca in the UCL this season, so most were expecting him to start against Eibar.

But Valverde picked veteran Andres Iniesta instead. Iniesta, who played 63 minutes, is expected to start against Chelsea.

Elsewhere, Valverde picked an incredible strong XI at the weekend. Even though Barca are a shoo-in to win the title.

That meant Suarez and Leo Messi played 90 minutes, while Samuel Umtiti and Gerard Pique were both in action after coming back from recent knocks.

Ousmane Dembele was left on the Barca bench for the Eibar game.