Chelsea will host Barcelona in a key UEFA Champions League league phase match on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at Stamford Bridge. Both teams sit on seven points after four matches, with Chelsea aiming to build on recent Premier League form and Barcelona seeking to climb into the top eight. The clash carries historical significance, with Chelsea winning just one of their last seven encounters against the Catalan side.
The upcoming Champions League fixture between Chelsea and Barcelona marks matchday five of the league phase for both clubs. Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca, have recorded mixed results so far: home wins over Benfica and Ajax, a 3-1 loss to Bayern Munich, and a 2-2 draw against Qarabag in Baku, where Alejandro Garnacho equalized in the second half. This leaves the Blues with seven points and in need of points from remaining games against Pafos at home, and away trips to Atalanta and Napoli.
Barcelona, managed by Hansi Flick, also hold seven points, placing them 11th on goal difference. They defeated Newcastle away and thrashed Olympiacos 6-1 at home, but fell 2-1 to PSG and drew 3-3 with Brugge. In La Liga, Barcelona have won three straight matches, including a 4-0 victory over Athletic Club with goals from Ferran Torres (brace), Robert Lewandowski, and Fermín López, positioning them one point behind leaders Real Madrid.
Head-to-head, the teams have met 17 times: Chelsea with five wins, six draws, and Barcelona six victories. Barcelona have won only once in eight visits to Stamford Bridge, a 2006 match decided by Samuel Eto'o.
Team News
Chelsea will miss Cole Palmer (toe injury), Levi Colwill, Dário Essugo, and Roméo Lavia. Reece James is expected to start after playing 45 minutes against Burnley, and Moisés Caicedo returns in midfield following a rest. Predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Sánchez; James, Chalobah, Adarabioyo, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernández, Neto, João Pedro, Garnacho; Delap. Enzo Fernández, who scored his fifth goal of the season in a 2-0 Premier League win over Burnley, will be key in midfield.
Barcelona are without Pedri and Gavi, but Joan García returns in goal after Wojciech Szczęsny's nine-match stint. Raphinha is back from a hamstring injury, and Marcus Rashford is expected after illness. Lewandowski, with eight La Liga goals and 105 in the Champions League, leads the attack. Predicted lineup (4-3-3): García; Koundé, Araújo, Cubarsí, Balde; Eric García, Fermín, Dani Olmo; Lamine Yamal, Torres, Lewandowski. Yamal, who scored his 31st for Barcelona recently and seven in his last 16 Champions League games, is a player to watch.
Predictions suggest a high-scoring affair, with Barcelona favored 1-2. Chelsea's recent Premier League surge—five wins in six, including shutouts—adds momentum ahead of this and their Sunday clash with Arsenal.
