Chelsea host Barcelona as the sides renew their Champions League rivalry in a blockbuster at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are developing nicely under Enzo Maresca and have won four of their last five games without the injured Cole Palmer but face a huge test with the visit of the Spanish champions, who arrive with Lamine Yamal available again after injury.
Chelsea and Barcelona met in two fiery Champions League semi-finals in 2009 and 2012, but this will be their first encounter since a round-of-16 clash in 2018 where Lionel Messi scored three goals across a 4-1 aggregate win.
Chelsea and Barcelona take identical Champions League records into tonight’s match, with two wins, a draw and a defeat from four games so far. Barcelona’s defeat came on their last visit to England and at the hands of Newcastle.
The match will be shown live on Amazon Prime Video, but follow the latest build-up and updates from Chelsea v Barcelona below
Chelsea v Barcelona live: Latest Champions League updates
- Chelsea host Barcelona in Champions League | Kick-off 8pm, live on Prime Video
- Chelsea and Barcelona renew rivalry with first meeting in seven years
- Both teams take identical records into tonight: P4, W2, D1, L1
- Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella, James, Caicedo; Estevao, Fernandez, Garnacho; Neto.
- Barcelona XI: Joan García; Koundé, Cubarsí, Araújo, Balde; Eric García, De Jong, Fermín; Yamal, Lewandowski, Torres.
Champions League fixtures
19:22 , Chris WilsonHere’s the full rundown of today’s Champions League fixtures, with some interesting ties to come:
Ajax vs Benfica (underway)
Galatasaray vs Union SG (underway)
Chelsea vs Barcelona
Bodo/Glimt vs Juventus
Napoli vs Qarabag
Marseille vs Newcastle
Dortmund vs Villarreal
Man City vs Leverkusen
Slavia Praha vs Athletic Bilbao
Champions League tie sees starlets meet
19:15 , Chris WilsonEstevao’s development has been a little more muted, with the Brazilian starting life more quietly at Palmeiras in his home country, though heads were turned long before Chelsea announced the signature of the youngster in June 2024.
He finally made the move across to the capital this summer in a deal that was reportedly worth over €30m, and he has since scored four goals across 16 appearances for the Blues, including a late winner against Liverpool early last month.
While he is still adapting to European football after a recent arrival at the age of 18, the winger is quickly turning into arguably Chelsea’s most exciting talent, while he is also crafting himself a spot in the Brazil national side ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Champions League tie sees starlets meet
19:10 , Chris WilsonStamford Bridge will likely see two of the most exciting young talents in the game facing off this evening, as Chelsea’s young Brazilian Estevao comes up against Barca’s Spanish starlet Lamine Yamal.
The emergence of the Barca youngster has been one of the biggest developments in football since his breakout tournament at Euro 2024, where he was a key part of Spain’s victorious campaign – with a superb goal against France in the semi-final announcing him on the international stage.
However, the 18-year-old has since managed to take that level of performance across to his club, with the performances in the semi-finals of this competition against Inter Milan last season catching the eye and marking him out as the world’s leading young talent.
Team news
19:03 , Chris WilsonHansi Flick has made just two changes to the side that beat Bilbao 4-0 on their return to the Camp Nou. In defence, Gerard Martin is replaced by Ronald Araujo, with Alejandro Balde moving back into the left-back slot and the Uruguayan coming in at centre-back.
In midfield, Frenkie De Jong replaces Dani Olmo, with Eric Garcia joining Fermin Lopez in the midfield three. Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski lead the line as they did last time out.
Team news
18:57 , Chris WilsonChelsea boss Maresca makes five changes to the side that beat Burnley at the weekend. Reece James moves from right-back into midfield, while Andrey Santos and Tosin make way for Malo Gusto and Wesley Fofana.
Moises Caicedo replaces Joao Pedro, with Enzo Fernandez moving into the attacking midfield role ahead of the Brazilian. Alejandro Garnacho and Estevao come onto the wings in place of Jamie Gittens and Liam Delap, with Pedro Neto leading the line.
Cole Palmer is not fit enough to make the bench, though that was expected.
Line-ups
18:50 , Chris WilsonBarcelona XI: Joan García; Koundé, Cubarsí, Araújo, Balde; Eric García, De Jong, Fermín; Yamal, Lewandowski, Torres.
Subs: Raphinha, Rashford, Casado, Christensen, Martin, Olmo, Bernal, Dro, Roony, Kochen, Szczesny.
𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐔𝐏 🔵🔴#ChelseaBarça pic.twitter.com/EjRgI197s2
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 25, 2025
Line-ups
18:47 , Chris WilsonChelsea XI: Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella, James, Caicedo; Estevao, Fernandez, Garnacho; Neto.
Subs: Jorgensen, Tosin, Acheampong, Hato, Badiashile, Santos, Buonanotte, Gittens, George, Guiu, Pedro, Delap.
Here it is: your Chelsea 🆚 Barcelona team news! 🔵#CFC | #UCL pic.twitter.com/sM8Z56BYhw
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 25, 2025
Team news
18:40 , Chris WilsonThe line-ups should be released in the next five minutes, so here’s a reminder of the early team news...
Aside from Cole Palmer, Chelsea will be without the injury-prone Romeo Lavia alongside Dario Essugo and long-term absentee Levi Colwill, who all remain out of action.
Captain Reece James was withdrawn at half-time against Burnley but Maresca confirmed the move was planned in advance rather than as a result of any injury concerns. Wesley Fofana missed out on the squad for the Burnley game entirely for “protection”, but should be fit to face Barca.
Famous meetings: Round of 16, 2005/06
18:30 , Chris WilsonTwo meetings within two seasons at the same stage of the competition. 2005/06 arrived with Barcelona looking to get revenge against the new force in English football, with these sides now clearly among the best in the continent after respective title wins.
This tie was put into Barcelona’s favour as the Blaugrana travelled to Stamford Bridge for the first leg, with an early red card for Chelsea’s Asier Del Horno giving them the disadvantage before own goal from Thiago Motta opened the scoring. However, the advantage told late on as Barca’s pressure resulted in a John Terry own goal before a late winner from Samuel Eto’o decided it.
And it was to be a decidedly less eventful second leg as Ronaldinho’s late goal was enough for Barca to qualify on away goals despite Frank Lamprey’s late penalty.
Chelsea weren't the only London opposition the Blaugrana beat in Europe this season either, as Frank Rijkaard’s side earned a dramatic 2-1 win over Arsenal in the 2006 Champions League final.
Head-to-head
18:20 , Chris WilsonThese two sides have met 14 times in this competition in the past, with both sides winning four and the other six ending as draws.
Most recently, a 3-0 win for Barca saw them earn a 4-1 aggregate victory in the Round of 16 in 2017/18.
Of course, these two sides played out several famous ties between 2005 and 2012, some of which we’ll re-visit later on...
Match stats
18:10 , Chris WilsonChelsea have only lost one of their last nine meetings with Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League (W2 D6), although that lone defeat did come in their most recent clash (0-3 at the Camp Nou in March 2018); a result that saw them eliminated at the last 16 stage (lost 1-4 on aggregate).
Barcelona have only won away to Chelsea on one of eight previous attempts in Europe (D2 L5): a 2-1 victory in February 2006 in the UEFA Champions League. Since then, they have played at Stamford Bridge on four occasions without recording a victory (D2 L2).
Famous meetings: Round of 16, 2004/05
18:00 , Chris WilsonThe first meeting to kickstart the 2000s ‘rivalry’ between these two sides came in the 2004/05 edition of the competition, when Jose Mourinho’s high-flying Blues met the Spanish giants in the Round of 16.
Goals from Samuel Eto’o and Maxi Lopez gave Barcelona a 2-1 home win in a game in which Didier Drogba was also sent off, before a dramatic return leg saw Chelsea claim a 4-2 home win to advance to the next round, with the winner scored by none other than Blues captain John Terry.
The match is probably most fondly remembered for the superb – almost dumbfounding – Ronaldinho goal in the 38th minute, in which the Brazilian shimmied in front of the Chelsea defence before beating Petr Cech with a brilliant punted effort from just outside the area!
While Chelsea went on the win the Premier League that season, they were victims of the infamous Anfield ‘ghost goal’ as they went out of Europe to Liverpool in the semi-finals.
Enzo Maresca pleased to see Chelsea negotiate ‘tricky’ game after Burnley win
17:50 , Chris WilsonEnzo Maresca was delighted to see his team selection pay off against Burnley at the start of a big week for Chelsea.
Maresca made four changes from the win over Wolves, including leaving star midfielder Moises Caicedo on the bench after his taxing international break with Ecuador, but it did not cost the Blues as they ran out 2-0 winners at Turf Moor.
Pedro Neto scored the opening goal with a brilliant diving header in the first half, while Enzo Fernandez made sure of the points with a late second on the break.
Enzo Maresca pleased to see Chelsea negotiate ‘tricky’ game after Burnley win
Barcelona celebrate return to Camp Nou with Athletic Bilbao thrashing
17:40 , Chris WilsonAnd here’s the report from Barca’s last outing...
Ferran Torres struck twice as Barcelona marked their long-awaited return to their Camp Nou with an emphatic 4-0 win over Athletic Bilbao.
Barca climbed to the top of the LaLiga standings on 31 points, level with Real Madrid, who face Elche on Sunday.
This was Barcelona's first match at Camp Nou in 909 days, as the partially renovated stadium welcomed fans back after two and a half years of redevelopment.
Barcelona celebrate return to Camp Nou with Athletic Bilbao thrashing
Pedro Neto sets Chelsea on their way to comfortable win at Burnley
17:30 , Chris WilsonHere’s the report from Chelsea’s win at the weekend...
Goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez saw Chelsea begin an important week with a 2-0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor.
Neto, who also hit a post in the second half, scored with a spectacular diving header in the 37th minute and Fernandez added a late second to give the Blues their fifth win from their last six Premier League games.
Chelsea can return to London in good spirits ahead of home clashes with Barcelona in the Champions League and Arsenal next Sunday.
Pedro Neto sets Chelsea on their way to comfortable win at Burnley
Predicted line-ups
17:15 , Chris WilsonChelsea XI: Sanchez, James, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Neto, Pedro, Garnacho, Delap.
Barcelona XI: J. Garcia, Kounde, E. Garcia, Cubarsi, Balde, Casado, De Jong, Yamal, Lopez, Torres, Lewandowski
Enzo Maresca issues Cole Palmer fitness update ahead of Champions League tie
17:10 , Jamie BraidwoodEnzo Maresca said star winger Cole Palmer is back in training and nearing a return after a long spell on the sidelines with injury.
“We don't know when, but for sure it will be soon,” he said in Monday’s press conference when asked about Palmer’s return. “He is already on the pitch, already touching the ball, and the feeling is good.
“I don't think so at the moment,” he added on the possibility of Palmer coming back in time to face Arsenal on Sunday.
“Last time I spoke with Cole was yesterday after the session to ask how he was feeling, but I didn’t ask him details about the injury.”
Enzo Maresca issues Cole Palmer fitness update ahead of Champions League tie
What is the Chelsea team news?
17:02 , Jamie BraidwoodAside from Cole Palmer, Chelsea will be without the injury-prone Romeo Lavia alongside Dario Essugo and long-term absentee Levi Colwill, who all remain out of action.
Captain Reece James was withdrawn at half-time against Burnley but Maresca confirmed the move was planned in advance rather than as a result of any injury concerns. Wesley Fofana missed out on the squad for the Burnley game entirely for “protection”, but should be fit to face Barca.
Kick-off time and how to watch Chelsea v Barcelona
17:01 , Jamie BraidwoodWhen is Chelsea vs Barcelona?
The match is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 25 November at Stamford Bridge. Kick-off is set for 8pm GMT.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the UK can watch the game live on Amazon Prime, with coverage from 6.55pm GMT. If you're not an Amazon Prime Video subscriber you can start a free 30-day trial here.
Good evening
17:00 , Jamie BraidwoodChelsea host Barcelona in a blockbuster Champions League tie tonight, with both sides pushing for a spot in the top eight automatic qualifiers.
Enzo Maresca’s men are 12th in the league phase table, one place behind and level on points with tonight’s opponents.
The Blues are fresh from a 2-0 win over Burnley in the Premier League at the weekend, but a toe fracture for Cole Palmer means they will have to face the Spanish giants without their talisman, who is nearing a return from a two-month injury layoff.
Chelsea dropped points in a 2-2 draw against Qarabag in their last European encounter but have two wins from two at home in this campaign, while Barcelona were held to a 3-3 draw by Club Brugge in an entertaining tussle.
What is the Barcelona team news?
Monday 24 November 2025 16:25 , Jamie BraidwoodFor the visitors, Alejandro Balde should be fit to start despite being substituted following a knock to the head in Saturday’s 4-0 win over Athletic Bilbao, while Raphinha may be in line for an appearance off the bench after he made his return from a hamstring injury. Marcus Rashford has recovered from the flu and has travelled to Stamford Bridge.
