Barcelona 5-6 to have Chelsea chasing shadows

PUNDITS are often desperate to greet every Barcelona blip with a smug declaration that possession doesn’t win you matches but it’s safe to say it’s a big help and BetVictor are offering 5-6 that the Catalans have over 74.5 per cent of the ball in Tuesday night’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Chelsea.

Although Barca had 70 per cent of the possession in the Stamford Bridge leg, it’s worth bearing in mind that this market is settled according to the statistics on the BBC’s website, which can vary wildly from Uefa’s results.

BetVictor are also betting on the number of shots the Spanish side have on target and worryingly for the Blues offer 6-4 that over 17 are.

Despite Barca’s probable dominance there’s no escaping the fact that they have struggled for clean sheets recently and Boylesports offer 5-6 Chelsea score, while it is 7-2 they have a man sent off.

Paddy Power offer 14-1 that Drogba is booked for diving, while the firm are alsobetting on how many times he calls for the physio during the tie. It’s 9-4 that he requires no treatment and 12-1 that the physio has to come on to the pitch five times or more. BetVictor offer 13-8 that Drogba requires treatment on two occasions or more.

Chelsea can qualify for next season’s Champions League either by winning the competition this term or by finishing in the top four in the league but Hills offer 4-6 that they manage neither and miss out on dining at Europe’s top table for the first time since 2002.

It is 11-10 they manage what looked unlikely when Roberto Di Matteo took charge and squeeze into the tournament.