Chelsea vs Valencia
The Champions League is back and this is where both these clubs want to be.
Chelsea may have had a year out but they responded to their absence in the best possible way by sealing a return via the Premier League and also by winning its sister competition, the Europa League.
Valencia, twice runners-up at the start of the century, have also responded to a barren spell of their own by qualifying for a second successive year – even if the man who guided them there was last week harshly sacked.
The SBOBET Champions League betting odds show it’s unlikely either of these clubs is ready to make a genuine bid to win the competition.
Indeed, the quarter-finals is probably a realistic aim.
But that’s not to say both will not produce Champions League highlights along the way.
Talking Points
Considering one side hit five and the other conceded five on Saturday, the contrasting fortunes are clear.
Chelsea come into this one on the back of crushing Wolves on their own turf.
A match in which Tammy Abraham joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Dele Alli in becoming only the third Premier League player aged 21 or younger to score two or more goals in three consecutive appearances.
Chelsea actually have 11 Premier League goals this season and Abraham has scored seven of them during an outstanding start to the campaign.
Scoring goals hasn’t been a problem but they have conceded 13 in just six games so far.
They may be young and a little naive but the side is bursting with youthful promise and energy and will have a spring in their step as Valencia arrive in town.
Valencia have slightly more experience in their ranks but are seemingly in a state of shock after Marcelino was sacked as boss last week.
Their players decided against speaking to the media after the game against Barcelona to avoid having to give their opinion on his dismissal.
Under the ownership of Peter Lim, Valencia is a club under scrutiny and Chelsea will want to take full advantage.
Their biggest uncertainty surrounds the fitness of N’Golo Kante, who missed the trip to Molineux at the weekend and remains a doubt.
The Blues boss may decide to allow the Frenchman to fully recover rather than risk another injury after suffering from a knee problem throughout pre-season.
There is a boost though with the news Callum Hudson-Odoi could return to the 18-man squad after coming through unscathed in an under-23s match having recovered from a ruptured Achilles.
History
These sides have met on six occasions – all in the past 12 years in this competition – and Chelsea have yet to taste defeat with three victories and three draws.
In fact, the clubs met four times in nine months in 2007.
Their quarter-final clash in April 2007 was a thriller.
The sides drew 1-1 at Stamford Bridge in the first leg when David Silva and Didier Drogba traded goals.
A last gasp Michael Essien goal booked Chelsea’s place in the semi-finals with a 2-1 success in the second leg, this after Fernando Morientes and Andriy Shevchenko were on target.
The sides also met in the group stages of the competition the following season.
Again, Chelsea fought from behind to win 2-1 in Spain.
David Villa gave the Spanish side an early advantage but a Joe Cole goal and a Drogba strike gave a real boost to the new Stamford Bridge regime – Avram Grant had recently been appointed manager.
The other group encounter ended goalless.
The sides also met in the group stages of the Champions League in 2011/12 – the year Chelsea went onto win the tournament.
Chelsea cruised to a 3-0 home win in the return fixture thanks to a Drogba double and a Ramires goal.
Betting Tip
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Chelsea vs Valencia | Over 2.75 Goals @ 2.31 |
| September 18, 03:00 (GMT+8) |
The surprise for me would be if this ends goalless.
Not with both sides able to score and concede seemingly at will.
Chelsea are favourites with home advantage clear. They are priced 1X2 @ 1.80 with Valencia @ 3.80 and the draw at a close 3.70.
I was very tempted by the Asian Handicap odds predicting a Chelsea win – 0.75 @ 2.11, although also feel Valencia will have a point to prove of their own and + 0.25 @ 2.47 is attractive.
A repeat of their last meeting eight years ago – correct score 3-0 – is available @ 17.00, while correct score 1-1 is worth a punt @ 6.40.
I can see this being a cagey affair but not a tight one.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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