Champions League Soccer: Valencia at Chelsea

By BetOnline September 16, 2019

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Tuesday brings a full card of Champions League soccer action and in this preview we’ll head to Stamford Bridge to take a look at Group H action between Chelsea and Valencia. The Champions League betting odds have Chelsea favored to win Group H though Valencia and Ajax are both expected to be competitive. The two teams will rematch later in the group stage this time at the Estadio de Mestalla.

So far so good for Frank Lampard in the early going as the Blues manager. Needless to say, being the field general of Chelsea is a demanding position but the boosters have so far been patient with Lampard’s troops–no doubt his stature as a legit legend for the club doesn’t hurt. Neither does the results he’s been earning of late. As expected, Liverpool and Manchester City are on top of the Premiership table but Chelsea is in a pack of six teams with 8 points tied for third. In theory, it doesn’t reflect well on Chelsea that they are a +8000 choice to win the Premier League but the soccer futures odds are crazy at the moment. Manchester City is a -150 favorite with Liverpool priced at +135. It’s a huge gap to the third choice Tottenham Hotspur at +4000, Arsenal +6600 and Chelsea and Manchester United both at +8000. Every other Premier League team is installed at 200/1 or higher.

Valencia isn’t having it quite as good in the early going in La Liga. They’re currently in 13th place with just 4 points. There is a good deal of trepidation about the slow start after a 4th place result last season. The team also won the Copa del Rey for the first time since 2008 upsetting Barcelona in the process. Like most sports, soccer is one in which the question ‘what have you done for me lately’ is constantly being asked. The result of the poor start was the dismissal of manager Marcelino after just one season. Owner Peter Lim is clearly not going to be patient waiting for a turnaround which puts new manager Albert Celades in a lot of pressure. It would be good for his employment security to advance out of this group.

Unfortunately, it’s a tough field in Group H and for Valencia to advance they’ll need to take care of either Chelsea or Ajax. Ajax is down a bit from last year but still a very strong side. Valencia has one only once in La Liga play out of four fixtures this year (1-1-2) and they’ve struggled somewhat away from their home pitch with 5 losses and 4 wins in their last 9 away.

Chelsea has not lost since the embarrassing opening game rout by Manchester United giving them a 5 game unbeaten streak in all competitions. Their struggles have come on the back end where they’ve allowed two or more goals in regulation in 4 of their 6 games. As usual, Stamford Bridge has been strong for the Blues and they are unbeaten at home in the last twelve though 4 of the last 5 at the venue have ended in a draw.

Not an easy way for Celades to start his tenure as manager. Chelsea’s defense does need work but they’re very strong at home. Valencia hasn’t been great in their end either scoring 5 and conceding 7 in La Liga play. We like Chelsea to win a match that exceeds the total.