Chelsea cross the English Channel to Brittany where they’ll face French Ligue 1 side Rennes one Tuesday for their penultimate fixture in Group E Cof the Champions League.
Whilst Frank Lampard leading his side to the first knockout round in last season’s Champions League was considered a somewhat remarkable achievement, progress beyond both the group stage and the first knockout stage will, no doubt, be a requirement considering the recruitment that took place during the last transfer window.
Following the seven points they have collected so far, Chelsea – on top of Group E – look to be in a strong position as far as qualification for the knockout stages of Europe’s premier club competition is concerned.
Indeed, a point for both Lampard’s side and second placed Sevilla who take on Krasnodar will see both sides through to the knockout stage with the first and second final placing being the only interest the two clubs will have.
Following the trip to France, next week’s fixture against the Spaniards could well decide which of the two teams go into pot one of the draw for the knockout round.
One of the players who joined Chelsea of late was, of course, Edouard Mendy who will make a return visit to his former club Rennes, the club he left join The Blues for what has proved to be a bargain £22m.
Domestically, and following their 2-0 win against Newcastle United at St James’ Park, Chelsea’s unbeaten run since the arrival of Mendy continues and the longer it continues, the more the confidence of the side will increase.
Chelsea, who were temporally league leaders after the win, are still in third place, a position that will suffice at the end of the season although the way the side is currently performing, hopes amongst some are set higher than that.
Rennes meanwhile, go into their game against Chelsea in seventh place in Ligue 1, league placing not helped by a 1-0 reverse at home at the hands of Bordeaux on Friday evening.
My wager on this game will see me place my money on an away victory for Chelsea coupled with a Sevilla victory against their Russian opponents, the price for the double being 2.58 with our friends at FansBet.
About the Author
Londoner David Johnstone is a home, away and European away Chelsea supporter and has missed just six matches since 2001 (although he’s quick to state there are plenty of other supporters with better attendance records than him).
He has been involved with the fanzine scene at Chelsea since around 1991 and started the ‘cfcuk’ fanzine in 1999 which was, until Mr Abramovich bought the club in 2003, named ‘Matthew Harding’s Blue And White Army’.
David was also responsible for forming both the Chelsea Supporters’ Group and the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust which are the main two bodies that represent the followers of Chelsea FC and take their concerns to those running the club.
A founder of the highly regarded Chelsea FanCast weekly podcast (but is no longer involved) and responsible for the crowd surfing banners and supporter displays that are seen in the Matthew Harding Stand at Stamford Bridge on matchday.
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