A huge game in group H sees Valencia take on Chelsea in a game which could secure qualification to the next round for one of the sides. Ajax, Valencia and Chelsea are all on 7 points with Ajax’s fixture looking like a potential win which would mount all pressure upon these two sides.
The previous meeting in England was a 1-0 win in favour of the Spaniards, which was arguably against the run of play, but in the history of the two clubs Chelsea have never lost at the Mestalla. Previous meetings have included two draws and one win in favour of the Blues but none of those fixtures have taken place within the last 9 years.
Chelsea are an exceptional side on the road this season and have won 7 of their last 8 away games and scored 22 goals, the only real problem being their lack of a main Goalscorer in the Europa League. Tammy Abraham has scored 3 goals in his last 10 matches and has 1 in 4 in this years Champions League, but has the ability to snap back into form based on this season’s exploits, Chelsea seem bound to score on paper it’s just a matter of who it shall be.
Valencia have had a mixed group stage so far with their two most recent fixtures being a 4-1 win at home to Lille and previously a hefty 3-0 home defeat at the hands of group leaders, Ajax. Unfortunately, like Chelsea they also have a goal-based issue, in all competitions this season their top goal scorer is Dani Parejo with 7 goals, with 6 of those coming from the spot. The Spanish side have also had goals come within the first 25 minutes in each of their last 4 UCL home games, Chelsea have scored prior to that minute in 2 of their last 3 UCL fixtures.
Chelsea seem the more likely team to come out on top tonight but from a betting perspective there is some nice prices about.
Chelsea to score a penalty is generally available at around 6/1 and Valencia to do the same is roughly 8/1.
Liverpool v Napoli
Liverpool play against one of their seemingly, bogey teams tonight. Napoli have beaten Liverpool in their last two fixtures with comprehensive 2 and 3-0 victories, with the 2-0 being in the reverse fixture with both goals being scored in the final 10 minutes. Since that meeting, Liverpool have gone on a 13-game unbeaten streak including 12 wins, Napoli on the other hand have gone in quite the opposite direction.
Gli Azzurri have won 4 of their 13 games since their victory over Liverpool and haven’t had a win in their last 6 in all competitions. They really seem to be struggling for form in recent weeks with the likes of main talisman, Dries Mertens scoring 2 in his last 14 matches for club and country and being far from in form.
Liverpool are playing drastically different to the Italian side with recent results seeing them soar through every tournament they take place in; they’ve won all of their last 10 home games with an abundance of goals; each game seeing Liverpool score two or more. The major downside to such a terrific run is that Liverpool have not kept a clean sheet in any one of their last 10 home games which seems to be a burden they cannot shake off.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been on fire as of late, bagging 5 goals in his last 6 from midfield and has grabbed 3 of those in his last 2 UCL appearances, both against Genk. He will be looking to add further goals to his tally tonight to win Liverpool Group E with a game to spare.
For the evening there’s undoubtedly plenty of value, Liverpool to win with both teams to score is superb value at 7/4, that selection has came in for their last 10 home games.
The Ox to score and Liverpool to win is also at the 3/1 mark.
2 English teams and a probable 2 further wins, a good night for the Brits.
samyets 