Chelsea v Dynamo Kiev: Blues aiming to forget league woes at Stamford Bridge
Wednesday 4 November 2015 20:08, UK
Chelsea will be looking to put their Premier League woes to the back of their minds when they take on Dynamo Kiev at Stamford Bridge in a crucial Champions League Group G clash on Wednesday night.
Another home defeat against Liverpool on Saturday was remarkably the reigning champions' sixth league loss in 11, leaving Jose Mourinho exasperated, and refusing to comment on his future.
Their form in the Champions League has been also been inconsistent with a solitary home win over Maccabi Tel Aviv, a defeat at Mourinho's former club Porto and a point from the reverse fixture in Kiev two weeks ago to show from their three matches to date.
The performance last time out in the Ukrainian capital did at least show signs of improvement, and the Blues will fancy their chances on their own turf, despite their recent poor form.
If Dynamo boss Sergei Rebrov can mastermind his side's first-ever Champions League win in England, then the Ukrainians could top the group, piling the pressure on Mourinho, with a 2-0 weekend victory over Metalist Kharkiv ideal preparation ahead of the trip to London.
Team news
Striker Radamel Falcao is out of clash with after picking up an injury in training on Tuesday.
The on-loan Monaco striker took part in training, with Mourinho afterwards reporting the Colombian had a "muscular injury" which would keep him out for a few weeks.
Right-back Branislav Ivanovic (hamstring) and winger Pedro (undisclosed) took part in training and could return, but goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (knee) remains out.
Dynamo, meanwhile, arrive in London at near full strength - giving Rebrov a host of options as he looks to increase Chelsea's pain.
Opta stats
Chelsea have won one of their last five Champions League fixtures (D3 L1).
The Blues however are unbeaten in their last five home games in the competition (W3 D2) and have lost just two Group Stage games at Stamford Bridge overall (since new formula in 2003/04).
Dinamo Kiev are yet to win in England in the Champions League (D1 L7) failing to score in six of their eight games away to Premier League clubs.
The Ukrainian side have given away more fouls than any other so far this season in the Champions League (55).
Just two of the last nine goals recorded by the West London side in the Champions League have come from open play.
Chelsea have gone 20 CL matches without failing to score at home; the last time they drew a blank in front of goal was back in April 2011 against Manchester United (0-1).
Kiev are unbeaten in four CL matches coming into this fixture (W1 D3).
Charlie's prediction
Goodness me, where do we start? Is it a must win? For who? For Chelsea? For the players? For Jose? I just couldn't understand their mentality on Saturday to go one up and just drop off and defend, I know they're low in confidence but for players of that quality to do it is shocking.
However, I do think they'll sneak a win here but I can see it being a scramble. They need to just relieve this pressure, for a few days at least, and put themselves in a decent position to qualify.
I'm backing Willian, who has been their best player by a mile, to score first. He and Ramires are the only players that have turned up this season.
Charlie predicts: 2-0 and Willian to score first
Betting
Chelsea are Sky Bet's 8/11 favourites for the victory with Dynamo Kiew 15/4 to inflict further misery on Jose Mourinho's men, while the draw is priced at 11/4. The Blues' poor form has seen them drift out to 25/1 to win the Champions League, despite being odds-on to qualify for the knockout stages. Diego Costa heads the first goalscorer betting at 7/2 while Andriy Yarmolenko is considered the visitors' main threat at 17/2 to break the deadlock. The Soccer Saturday pundits have submitted their Sky Bet tips, including Matt Le Tissier's 30/1 fancy for Willian to score first in a 1-0 Blues win.
