Champions League

Chelsea Begin Champions League Campaign Against Valencia

After winning the Europa League last season, Chelsea will be feeling good about their upcoming European campaign, which begins on Tuesday night against Valencia. Frank Lampard had many big nights in Europe with The Blues, and now he gets the chance to lead them in as their manager.

They couldn’t come here in any better form, after a fantastic win over Wolves at the weekend. Lampard grew as a manager last season in the Championship with Derby and he ethos was to give youngsters the chance to shine, something that was seen as a little bit of a risk in the Premier League when he got the Chelsea job, but something that is beginning to work for him.

As for their opponents Valencia, they are fairly regular participants in the Champions League, although they are a team that Chelsea will see as beatable. The Spaniards are a decent side, but anyone who has hopes of qualifying for the qualifying stage of this competition should be able to beat them, especially when playing them at home like Chelsea are here.

The other two teams in this group are Ajax and Lille, so qualifying won’t be easy. Ajax reached the semi finals of this competition last season, and Lille are not going to roll over. Chelsea will see themselves as being in a battle with Ajax for top spot, and will want to finish in the first two but both of those teams will have one eye looking at Valencia and Lille behind them, and it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise in the world to see one of those two really push for qualification from the group.

Chelsea vs Valencia Betting Tips

A game that Chelsea really need to win if they are to qualify for the next round, and one that they should win. We are backing them to do that, they come here feeling pretty good about themselves after a nice win over Wolves at the weekend, and have the quality to do that again against Valencia, who are certainly beatable.

The Blues will no doubt continue to field youngsters, and this will be a great opportunity for them to shine on an even bigger stage than the Champions League. We are backing them to take it, and if you would like further help with the Champions League on Tuesday, but sure to check out our football tips page!