Matchday 5 of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League sees Chelsea with renewed spirits and confidence. Ahead of the Stamford Bridge clash against FC Barcelona this Tuesday (21:00 CEST), Enzo Maresca's side defeated Burnley (0-2) with goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernández.

Before the break, the 'Blues' had thrashed Wolverhampton (3-0) and now occupy second place in the Premier League table with 23 points, 6 less than leaders Arsenal and one above Manchester City.

In the Champions League, the London team has 7 points, the same as Barça after four matchdays. In fact, both teams occupy 11th and 12th place in the standings, with the Catalan team having the advantage due to goal difference

Cole Palmer falls to Barça, but Benoit Badiashile returns

Against Barça, Chelsea will lose its main star, **Cole Palmer**, due to an injury to his left big toe. The '10' was ready to return on the weekend after missing several matches due to a groin problem, but suffered another injury, this time at home, which prevented him from playing against Burnley and will also keep him out against the Catalans.

The 'Blues', however, have had mixed fortunes with injuries ahead of Champions League matchday 5. Benoit Badiashile, whose return was scheduled for early December, has shortened his recovery by a couple of weeks and will be available to start on Tuesday against Barcelona.

The French international played the second half against Burnley, in what was only his fourth appearance of 25/26. Maresca's objective is to have Badiashile alongside Trevoh Chalobah to try to neutralize the Catalan offensive trident, which will likely be made up of Lamine Yamal, Marcus Rashford, and Robert Lewandowski.

Chelsea have already lost two home games this season

In the Champions League, Chelsea has secured two home victories against **Benfica** (1-0) and **Ajax** (5-1), although the 'Blues' are not undefeated at Stamford Bridge this season. The team lost in the league against **Sunderland** (1-2) on October 25th and also against **Brighton** on September 27th (1-3), although they have achieved 5 wins in 8 home appearances.

Barça, for their part, are unbeaten as visitors in the Champions League in 25/26, with a win in Newcastle (1-2) and a draw in Bruges (3-3). The Catalans, however, have only won once in their seven visits to Stamford Bridge, almost 20 years ago (1-2 in 2006)The winner on Tuesday will reach 10 points and can break into the TOP-8, which grants direct access to the round of 16, with three matchdays of the group stage remaining. Hansi Flick's team still has to host Eintracht and Copenhagen, in addition to visiting Slavia Prague.