Team
news, stats and prediction as Chelsea travel to Valencia in the Champions
League.
Team news
Callum Hudson-Odoi will miss Chelsea's Champions League clash at Valencia on
Wednesday (5.55pm kick-off).
Hudson-Odoi picked up a minor hamstring injury on England duty, and Chelsea
boss Frank Lampard hopes he will be ready to feature in Saturday's Premier
League battle against West Ham.
Antonio Rudiger remains sidelined but is closing in on a return from a
long-term pelvic problem, while Ross Barkley did not travel to Spain.
Valencia may opt for Kevin Gameiro up front, but Denis Cheryshev's return
from injury may have come too late for this clash.
State of play
The winner of this game will go through to the knockout stages, leaving the
loser to battle it out with Ajax for second spot.
A draw would make for a fascinating final round of matches.
Opta stats
Valencia have won just one of their seven UEFA Champions League matches
against Chelsea (W1 D3 L3), winning 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on MD1 of this
season's competition.
In all European competition, Valencia have faced nine English teams in home
matches, registering a win over seven of them (Arsenal, Leeds United,
Liverpool, Man City, Man Utd, Nottingham Forest and Stoke City), failing
against only two opponents - Chelsea (three games) and West Bromwich Albion
(one game).
Chelsea have lost just one of their last 11 away UEFA Champions League
matches in Spain (W3 D7 L1), though it came in their most recent visit in
March 2018, a 3-0 reverse at Barcelona in the Last 16.
Chelsea are looking to record three consecutive away UEFA Champions League
victories for the first time since winning five in a row during the 2003-04
campaign.
Valencia are one of five teams yet to score in the first half of a UEFA
Champions League game this season, with all six of their goals coming in the
second half.
Charlie's prediction
This is a very good game. Valencia beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea
are much improved since and you could see that against Manchester City. This
is the most exciting Chelsea team I have seen. It does not have the same
quality as the one which involved John Terry, Didier Drogba and Frank
Lampard, but they are far more exciting to watch.
Chelsea were outstanding for 30 minutes at the Etihad - it was more
City-like than not. They didn't get anything and that tells you something
though. Valencia do not score a lot, but they do not concede. The Chelsea
results against Ajax will be enough to see them through, but I am going for
a defeat here. It will be a learning curve for the team. Lampard is using
the same players here, so it does take its toll, especially in the demanding
games. Injuries could lead to downfall.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 1-0 (12/1 with Sky Bet)
top