Key Highlights
- Chelsea travel to Azerbaijan for their fourth Champions League group game.
- Qarabag have surprised with wins over Benfica and Copenhagen but face a tough test against Chelsea.
- Chelsea won 10-0 against Qarabag in the 2017–18 Champions League, with another victory expected on Wednesday.
- The match kicks off at Azersun Arena in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Wednesday, November 5, at 5:45 p.m. GMT.
Preview and Form Guide
Chelsea will make the long journey to Baku for their Champions League clash with Qarabag on Wednesday, November 5. The Blues are coming off a recent winning streak in all competitions, having won six of their last seven matches. Despite a defeat against Bayern Munich at the start of the season, they have since recovered and secured victories over Benfica and Ajax.
Qarabag, based in Azerbaijan, have had an exceptional start to their European campaign.
They defeated Benfica 2-0 in their opening match and followed that up with a home win against Copenhagen. Although they lost 3-1 to Athletic Club, they remain a formidable opponent for Chelsea.
Head-to-Head Record
The history between these two teams is clear: Qarabag has never won against Chelsea in any competition, while the Blues hold a dominant record of two wins. Their last meeting was on November 22, 2017, where Chelsea secured a 4-0 victory.
Team News and Predicted Lineups
For Qarabag, Ramil Sheydayev and Joni Montiel will miss the match. However, Gurbanov is unlikely to make any significant changes from his starting lineup. Leandro Andrade will likely be a key player due to his goal-scoring prowess.
Chelsea, on the other hand, are facing several absences.
Cole Palmer remains out, and Levi Colwill, Dário Essugo, and Benoît Badiashile are also unavailable. Mykhailo Mudryk is still provisionally suspended after a drugs test, while Pedro Neto will miss the game due to an injury. Chelsea may rotate their lineup for this match.
Chelsea’s predicted starting line-up could include Jörgensen in goal, Gusto and Acheampong at the back, with Adarabioyo and Hato on the flanks. Santos and Lavia will be central midfielders, Estêvão and Fernández providing support to Delap up front.
Match Prediction
Despite Qarabag’s recent successes, Chelsea are expected to dominate this match due to their superior form and strength in depth. Sports Illustrated predicts a 1-3 victory for Chelsea, with the Blues looking likely to cruise through the group stage once more.
The upcoming clash between Chelsea and Qarabag is set to be an intriguing contest, with both teams bringing different strengths to the table. As the clock ticks towards kick-off on November 5, fans will be eagerly awaiting the outcome of this Champions League showdown in Baku.
