Chelsea vs Valencia: UEFA Champions League Group E Preview

Published December 5, 2011 | By Rolly (online)

Chelsea host Valencia at Stamford Bridge in the UEFA Champions League Group E with a place in the last 16 at stake.

For under fire Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas, Tuesday night’s clash with Valencia is a potential career decider as Blues boss. Simply put, his tenure in the Chelsea dugout is on the line.

Under pressure and threatening to incur the wrath of the notoriously impatient Roman Abramovich, ‘AVB’ will be all too aware that elimination – or failure as the big Russian upstairs will view it – at this early stage of Europe’s elite cup competition will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Defeat to Bayer Leverkusen on Matchday 5 courtesy of Manuel Friedrich’s injury-time winner confirmed that the Blues are in a crisis and despite making a positive start to their Group E campaign, are in real danger of capitulating at this early stage.

The stipulation is clear enough. The hosts lie second in Group E on 8 points; level with visitors Valencia, and will qualify if they win or avoid a high scoring draw (which will mean elimination on the head-to-head rule).

Still, nothing is smooth at the Bridge currently and with a Premier League blockbuster clash with Manchester City to come, it is truly ‘squeaky bum time’ for the men from SW9.

Valencia on the other hand come into the match confident and on form after a solid 2-1 win over Espanyol at the weekend.

An expected, nevertheless, superb 7-0 rout of Genk last time out prove that Los Che are really beginning to purr after a slow start to their European campaign.

The Spanish side have actually never lost at Stamford Bridge having secured two draws on their previous two visits to South-West London, and should the 2000 and 2001 runners-up grab a score draw which is higher than 1-1 (or better still win) than they will join Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16.

In-form striker Roberto Soldado who scored against Chelsea in their 1-1 draw at the Mestalla on Matchday 2 knows what has to be done.

“We are all dreaming of a beautiful night where we can achieve the qualification we’re all dreaming of,” the 26-year-old told SuperDeporte.es.

“We must win. That is the goal we have. We’re going to London with the mentality that we must win.”

This is a match which could get feisty, messy and ultimately decide the fate of one of Europe’s highly-rated young coaches.

Likely Line-Ups:

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Meireles, Ramires, Lampard, Sturridge, Drogba, Mata.

Valencia: Alves, Miguel, Rami, Dealbert, Alba, Costa, Topal, Feghouli, Jonas, Mathieu, Soldado.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Valencia. A tough one to call but home advantage and Valencia poor form on the road (they drew with Genk and lost to Leverkusen) could prove decisive. Do expect Unai Emery’s men to net however in an edgy night.