Before the first asking, the futures market opened on this billing with Barcelona installed as the clear favourites at -180 while Chelsea were offered as the underdogs at +140. When the first leg came to a scoreless draw at the Campu Nou, BetUS bookies slashed odds on both sides, moving Barcelona down to -140 and Chelsea up to even odds. As we draw nearer to kick off, bookies seem to be moving the market on this matchup slightly in Barcelona’s favour as the Spaniards improve to -150 on the market and Chelsea are thrust back into the underdog plane at +110. In terms of the money line odds (to win the second leg), Barcelona is marginally favoured (so to speak) for the away win at +160, meanwhile Chelsea are given +170 odds for the home win.

So what is a soccer bettor to do with such a landscape? Here are some last minute betting thoughts and tips.

Champions League Betting Line:

Chelsea pk Ev +170 2½ O -110 U -110 1 O -135 U +105 Draw +220

Barcelona pk -120 +160 2½ O -110 U -110 1 O -150 U +120 Draw +220

Alternate soccer betting Line:

Chelsea +½ -185 2 O -190 U +160

Barcelona -½ +155 2 O -190 U +160

First Half:

Chelsea pk Ev +245 1 O +110 U -130 Draw Ev

Barcelona pk -120 +215 1 O +110 U -130 Draw Ev

To Qualify:

Barcelona -150

Chelsea +110

Soccer Betting Verdict: Clearly, all the betting lines and odds on this matchup are relatively tight, which one would expect after a 0-0 draw and that makes the betting on this fixture a money-making opportunity no matter which way soccer bettors are meaning to go. The very lucrative odds and the layers in the BetUS market, as mentioned above, edge this one slightly in favour of Barcelona – a choice I must say I am not inclined to back. Yet, Barcelona does have the slight edge because their goals will count more as away goals as Chelsea’s home goals would. Therefore, no doubt about it, there is value in taking Barcelona.

However, Chelsea supporters can find value in their side’s odds. Given the fact that Gus Hiddink is one the brilliant tacticians in the game today, I expect he has a plan to neutralize Barcelona’s attacking potential. He did so in the first leg admirably, frustrating the Spaniards down the middle. I expect a similar game plan today.

Tale told, I expect this match to go the way of Barcelona’s 2007/08 campaign, wherein they were drew to a scoreless draw at Campu Nou in the first leg, only to be eliminated by Manchester United at the Old Trafford in the return leg. Barcelona seems to struggle against English opposition and I would not be surprised if they do not find the back of the net at all.

Soccer Betting Prediction: A 1-0 score will do the trick for Chelsea fine. So take the under 2.5 goals at -110. For me though the better value is in the half time market. Take the Over 1 goal at +110, as I believe Chelsea will try to get on the board early and deflate Barcelona’s spirit. Chelsea to qualify into the finals at +110 is another good play – remember Abramovic is all about Champions League victory. It is the European Cup or bust for him. The Blues came close to winning last year. They are close again this season to booking their place in Rome. They have incentive. Finally, the money line odds for the home win at +170 are a great deal.

This information is provided in partnership with BetUs Sportsbook

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