Barcelona vs Chelsea Betting Tips

It's time for take six in the recent series of Champions League clashes between Barcelona and Chelsea, as the arch enemies bid to do battle at the Nou Camp on Tuesday evening. Going into this fixture Chelsea head Group A having taken maximum points from their three games played thus far while Barcelona lie in second, a point in advance of third-placed Werder Bremen. The Blues emerged victorious against Frank Rijkaard's men at Stamford Bridge courtesy of a Didier Drogba strike. In the process, that verdict levelled the head to head score up between the two sides - they've now won two apiece and drawn one from their quintet of recent bouts in this tournament. Chelsea could, however, be without Drogba and Andriy Shevchenko on Tuesday. Both strikers have travelled to Spain, but Sheva missed Saturday's 2-0 victory at Sheffield United because of a leg muscle injury, while the Ivory Coast hitman came off in that Premiership match after receiving a kick on his foot. In the event that one or both do not take part, 21-year-old Salomon Kalou is likely to step into the breach. Carlo Cudicini is back in training following that horror incident at Reading, but Hilario, who saved a penalty against the Blades on Saturday, looks set to be between the sticks once again. An upbeat bulletin has been issued regarding Barca's Argentine winger Lionel Messi, who is fit again following an ankle injury. But the overall consensus among many is that Barcelona are not yet firing on all cylinders. Indeed, after being beaten by Chelsea at 'The Bridge', the reigning champs of this competition were beaten by their main domestic opponents, Real Madrid, in a La Liga fixture. Barca have bounced back by winning their next two matches, but I would have to agree with the conjecture that they are not carrying all before them this term, as they did with such verve last season. The serious injury incurred by Samuel Eto'o, who will be absent until early next year, at least, has been a major blow. That said, it's still a sizeable task that Chelsea are faced with; entering the Nou Camp is akin to entering the lion's den, and it could be that the home side will be galvanised by the occasion, and the spark will return. Brazilian left-back Sylvinho has cited that the rivalry between Barca and Chelsea is now tantamount to the bitterness than exists between his side and Real Madrid. As such, the incentive is great. Pride is at stake for the Spanish outfit in front of their expectant fans. If Chelsea are without their first choice forwards, it will be interesting to see what strategy Jose Mourinho adopts. Given the prowess of midfielders Michael Ballack and, most notably, Frank Lampard, the London side still boast great goalscoring potential. However, this duo will probably not be pushing forward too freely given the counter-attacking ability of Barcelona. Former Chelsea man Eidur Gudjohnsen could be in the fold for Barca along with the wizard-like Ronaldinho, while Javier Saviola looks poised to enter the fray at some stage, if not making the starting XI. The question will be whether Chelsea's defence can withstand the pressure, as I envisage that Barca will be the more offensive-minded on the day. In any case, I reckon that their will be no goals by the time of the whistle for the interval, therefore bet365's offer of 13/10 about 0-0 in the half-time correct score market looks the way to go. In their last three meetings, no goals have been scored until after the break, which augurs well for the recommended bet. Verdict - 2.5pts 0-0 in the half-time correct score market (bet365)