The Champions League is heating up, and this week's clash between Qarabag and Chelsea promises to be an intriguing encounter! But will it be a walk in the park for the Blues?
Chelsea's Long Journey to Azerbaijan:
Chelsea are set to embark on a long trip to Baku, Azerbaijan, for their midweek fixture against Qarabag in the Champions League. The Blues have been in fine form, winning six out of their last seven games across all competitions, with their only recent setback being a home loss to Sunderland. Their impressive run includes victories over Benfica and Ajax, propelling them up the Champions League group table after an initial defeat to Bayern Munich.
A Familiar Opponent:
While Azerbaijan might not be a typical destination for Chelsea's European adventures, the Blues have history with Qarabag. In the 2017-18 Champions League group stage, Chelsea dominated with a staggering 10-0 aggregate score over two legs. However, this season, Qarabag has shown they are not to be underestimated.
Qarabag's Surprising Start:
Qarabag has made a remarkable start to their European campaign, despite their recent loss to Athletic Club. They stunned Benfica in their opening group game and followed it up with a home win over Copenhagen. This team is not to be taken lightly, and their early success has caught the attention of many.
Head-to-Head and Form Guide:
Looking at recent form, Chelsea has the edge. They defeated Tottenham and Wolves in their last two outings, while Qarabag drew with Shamakhi and lost to Athletic Club. But here's where it gets interesting: Qarabag's only loss in their last five games was against Athletic Club, and they've shown resilience and a knack for scoring goals.
Key Absentees and Lineup Predictions:
Qarabag will be without Ramil Sheydayev and Joni Montiel, but their lineup is expected to remain largely unchanged. Chelsea, on the other hand, has a few injury concerns. Enzo Maresca will need to shuffle his squad, with Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, Dário Essugo, and Benoît Badiashile all sidelined. The Blues will also be without Mykhailo Mudryk and Pedro Neto.
Predicted Lineups:
Qarabag is likely to start with Kochalski in goal, a back four of Silva, Mustafazade, Medina, and Jafarquliyev, Bicalho and Malinowski in midfield, and an attacking trio of Durán, Andrade, and Zoubir supporting Akhundzade up front.
Chelsea's lineup could see Jörgensen in goal, Gusto, Acheampong, Adarabioyo, and Hato in defense, Santos and Lavia in midfield, and Estêvão, Fernández, and Gittens supporting Delap in attack.
Match Prediction:
Despite Qarabag's impressive start, Chelsea is expected to secure a comfortable victory. The Blues' quality and recent form make them strong favorites. But this is football, and anything can happen! And this is the part most people miss: Qarabag has the potential to cause an upset, especially if they can capitalize on any Chelsea complacency.
Controversial Prediction: Qarabağ 1–3 Chelsea
Will Chelsea's journey to Baku be a successful one, or will Qarabag defy the odds? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
