Ahead of tomorrow night’s all-England semi-final, this evening’s game will go a long way to deciding whether next month’s final in Rome will be an all Premier league affair. Paul Fraser assesses Chelsea’s chances of earning an away leg advantage tonight.

Barcelona v Chelsea ITV1 Kick-off 7.45

BOTH Barcelona and Chelsea have been here before. But, despite the global stature of their mighty Spanish counterparts, it’s the club from the King’s Road that have become more accustomed to this stage of the Champions League.

This will be Chelsea’s fifth semi-final of the last six years, with Barcelona accounting for their only failure to reach the last four since 2004.

But whether or not the experiences of recent years will count for anything over the course of these two legs remains to be seen.

Frank Lampard, for one, thinks it might.

His favourite goal of a productive career arrived in the 2-2 draw at Camp Nou two seasons ago and Barcelona will be wary of the threat posed by the England midfielder.

But while Barcelona’s industrious Andres Iniesta recently admitted that the English teams are those that La Liga leaders fear the most, it is easy to imagine Lampard et al fearing tonight’s opponents above anyone else.

Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Thierry Henry, Samuel Eto’o, Bojan are all to be admired – before you even think about trying to keep a tight rein of Lionel Messi, the tournament’s top scorer.

But Chelsea, without the suspened Ashley Cole tonight, have been a fierce animal in Europe this season following the defeat to Manchester United in Moscow almost a year ago and Lampard has helped to explain the reasons why.

“I don’t think I have ever felt such determination to get somewhere and win, as I do now about the Champions League,” said Lampard.

With statements like that, tournament favourites Barcelona will not have had it all their own way.

Barca’s Xavi, however, claimed: ‘‘There’s not much between the two leagues but I think our league is stronger – it is better technically and there is more tactical order.

‘‘Maybe the Premier League wins in terms of intensity and rhythm.

‘‘And it’s true that there are three English teams in the semi-finals, but we are not here by coincidence.’’