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Champions League Betting: First leg 1-0 lead should see Barca through

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Armed with a 1-0 lead, even Barcelona won't manage to throw this one away says Dan "The Betting Man" Fitch. But they won't be lifting the trophy come May...

Some people just don't want to be helped. Their Bukowski-esque self destructive streak is so strong, that they'll always be down in the gutter, too out of it to be looking at any stars.

We all know people like this. Drinkers, with breath that could pickle gherkins... Aggressive little blokes, who always need to pick a fight with the biggest bloke in the room... Hopeless gamblers that... Actually, some things are a little too close to home.

Barcelona have certainly showed a self destructive streak of late. Having missed their chance to get back into the La Liga title race for what must be the fifty seventh time this season, Barcelona will be looking to get back to winning ways, when they take on Schalke 04 in the second leg of the Champions League quarter final.

With Real Madrid having only recorded a 1-1 draw at Malaga and Villarreal losing 2-0 to Sevilla, Barcelona could have got within touching distance had they beaten Getafe at home.

Yet the chance was wasted, as Barca were unable to break down a solid Getafe defence, that saw every player behind the ball when the home side attacked. They did create chances, but poor finishing let Barcelona down and the front three of Henry, Eto'o and Bojan didn't gel. Neither did the midfield pairing of Xavi and Iniesta, who are probably too similar to work as a truly complimentary midfield partnership.

Some observers have argued that the fact that Barcelona and Real Madrid have consistently dropped points this season, demonstrates the quality that exists throughout La Liga. I tend to think that they drop points because they play so many teams that show absolutely no ambition against them. It's quite common for sides in the Premier League to line up with five in midfield against the big four, but it is rare that any team plays with such commitment to defence as Getafe did on Sunday.

The good news for Barcelona, is that as they take a 1-0 lead from the first leg, Schalke have no option but to commit men forward to score an away goal. Then again, they might just sit back in numbers and try to bore Barcelona into doing something stupid.

Schalke certainly couldn't be accused of being defensive in the first leg, as they lined up with a three man forward line of Asamoah, Kuranyi and Altintop. But it was Barcelona who took the lead, when a Thierry Henry shot was saved, only for Bojan to net from the rebound.

The Germans poured forward in the second half and went close through Ernst, Altintop, Larsen and Bordon, but just couldn't find the equaliser. They were hardly more prolific in front of goal this weekend, as they narrowly defeated Hansa Rostock 1-0 at home and it is hard to see them getting what they need at the Nou Camp.

It looks very likely that Barcelona will progress and face Manchester United in the semi finals and it is a shame that they have to meet at this stage, rather than the final. Despite Barcelona's problems this season, a showdown between their attacking players and Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez, would be a mouth-watering prospect. Instead we'll get one of these sides facing a Chelsea or Liverpool side, most probably playing in a style akin to Getafe at the weekend.

One Barcelona player that might be facing United more regularly from next season is Ronaldinho. If there was ever any doubt that his best years are beyond him, the news that Spurs and Man City are the front runners for his signature, confirmed the death of his career. It's unlikely that he'll face Schalke and Barcelona will be the better for his absence, but the likely return of Marquez will be far more appreciated.

Barcelona are [1.46] with Schalke [8.8] and the draw [4.7]. I can't see past a home win, as Schalke have to attack and this will play into Barcelona's hands. For this reason the [2.1] for over 2.5 goals is also tempting. Forget though the [4.5] for Barca to win the competition. Their self destructive streak is just too strong.