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Chelsea go into their Champions League game against Bayer Leverkusen hoping for some relief from their recent Premier League woes that have seen the Blues fall to defeat in three of their last four games.
Andre Villas-Boas now has the unwanted record of overseeing back to back defeats at Stamford Bridge for the first time since Roman Abramovich took control of the club back in 2003, while his side’s defensive record is already worse than Jose Mourinho’s side achieved in the entire 2004/05 season.
While their Premier League form has left much to be desired, Chelsea can at least point to their solid European campaign so far, and a win over their German would not only move them into the knockout stages, but provide a timely morale boost for the west London outfit.
Chelsea currently sit atop of their group, two points clear of their opponents on Wednesday , meaning three points at the BayArena would be enough to move Villas-Boas’ men in to the final 16.
Didier Drogba got the nod to start over the much maligned Fernando Torres for Chelsea’s defeat against Liverpool on Sunday, and Villas-Boas must decide whther to opt for the guile of the Spaniard or the brute strength of the Ivorian.
Drogba aquitted himself well in the 2-1 defeat in trying cirumstances, and the former Porto boss may be tempted to opt for the former Marseille man as a lone striker and use his power to rough up the home side.
Michael Essien is a long term absentee and will play no part in the action on Wednesday, but aside from the Ghanian’s injury Villas-Boas has a full squad to pick from.
Leverkusen will go into the game without their first choice goalkeeper Rene Adler and Tranquillo Barnetta due to long term ailments, and Renato Augusto, Karim Bellarabi and Hanno Balitsch are all out of the game with injuries, but there was at least some good news for Robin Dutt after key midfield linchpin Andre Schurrle was declared fit to play having been rested for the German outfit’s 2-0 win over Kaiserslautern over the weekend.
Chelsea were clear winners when the two teams met earlier in the group stages at Stamford Bridge, with David Luiz and Juan Mata on target for the Blues to record a comfortable 2-0 win.
No team has managed more shots on target in a single game than Chelsea against their German opposition – 12 – and Dutt will be hoping for a much better showing this time round, especially given the absence of his first choice keeper.
Match Winner
Given Chelsea’s superiority in the first game it comes as no surprise that the away side are the favourites to secure a much needed victory.
Andre Villas-Boas’s men are 5/4 with Bet 365 to take three precious points while Leverkusen are trailing behind at 3.60 (13/5) for the victory with BoyleSports.
The draw is 3.40 (12/5) with BetFred
First goalscorer
Given the uncertainty over the composition of Chelsea’s attacking line, the first goalscorer market has taken on a tricky complexion.
Dider Drogba should start and leads the way at 7.00 (6/1) withPaddy Power, while Fernando Torres is similarly priced with Sportingbet.
Stefan Kiessling leads the way for Leverkusen and is best priced at 9.00 (8/1) with Paddy Power, but perhaps the best value comes in the shape of Juan Mata, who is placed at 11.00 (10/1) with William Hill.
Recommended Bets
First goalscorer: Juan Mata, 11.00 (10/1) William Hill
Correct score: Chelsea 1-0, 7.50 (13/2) Bet365
