Chelsea will need to avoid defeat at all costs when they face FC Porto at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, otherwise their poor season so far could turn into a full-blown shipwreck. Jose Mourinho's future could well depend on this match, with Chelsea and Porto tied on 10 points at the top of Group G and Dynamo Kiev at 8 points in third spot. FC Porto beat Chelsea 2-1 in the reverse fixture, and with Dynamo Kiev almost sure to grab all three points against Maccabi Tel Aviv, the Blues would need to either draw or win the match to finish inside the top two. A draw between Chelsea and Porto, combined with a win for Dynamo, would see the Ukrainians finish top of the group table and Chelsea end up second.
Jose Mourinho ended his first spell in charge at Chelsea after a Champions League match, a 1-1 draw at home against Rosenborg, but at the time, in 2007, things had been quite rough between him and club owner Roman Abramovich. This time the Russian billionaire seems to support his manager, despite the terrible results so far this season. They have snatched just 15 points from 15 league matches so far, they are 14th in the table, 17 points behind the league leaders and 14 points adrift of the last Champions League spot.
The Blues will have to do without Ramires and Radamel Falcao, both injured, but John Terry might be able to make his return from an ankle injury. The visitors could field teenage sensation Ruben Neves at Stamford Bridge, the 18-year-old was rested last weekend when his side beat Pacos de Fereira in the domestic league.
My prediction: 1-1 draw.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Chelsea win - 2.00 Draw - 3.50 Porto win - 4.20
Shumar4life
8 years ago
Chelsea is in the best position among Porto and Dinamo, but they still need a win on this match, to keep first place in this group, and to qualify in next phase of course. It will be very tough task, because they are in awful form, and Porto is playing good football, so it will be very hard for "blues" to win this match....
Chelsea is in the best position among Porto and Dinamo, but they still need a win on this match, to keep first place in this group, and to qualify in next phase of course. It will be very tough task, because they are in awful form, and Porto is playing good football, so it will be very hard for "blues" to win this match. Despite that fact I believe that they can win this match
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advoghado
8 years ago
Chelsea have a great chance today to reverse its current situation, a good win against Porto, assures the London club a place in the next round of the League, regardless of other results. Porto needs to win the game, because in my opinion I agree that the Dynamo are virtually classified because it plays in your field today...
Chelsea have a great chance today to reverse its current situation, a good win against Porto, assures the London club a place in the next round of the League, regardless of other results. Porto needs to win the game, because in my opinion I agree that the Dynamo are virtually classified because it plays in your field today against the weak Maccabi Tel Aviv. Chelsea x Porto must be an electrifying game today
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sharpe
8 years ago
In fact both teams have to play to win this one because Dynamo probably will win their game and one of these teams will be out of the tournament. Like Johnny said in the article Abramovich seems to support his manager for now but if Chelsea loose and left out the tournament I think it will be the end of Mourinho. Still...
In fact both teams have to play to win this one because Dynamo probably will win their game and one of these teams will be out of the tournament. Like Johnny said in the article Abramovich seems to support his manager for now but if Chelsea loose and left out the tournament I think it will be the end of Mourinho. Still don't believe Chelsea will going to loose that one.
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