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The Brazilian defender lifted the Champions League trophy with the Blues in 2012 and remains a familiar figure to the Stamford Bridge crowd, but sentiment is likely to be secondary as Chelsea look to protect their hopes of automatic qualification.
Liam Rosenior takes charge of his first Champions League match as Chelsea head coach, knowing there is little margin for error.
The Blues begin the matchday two points outside the top eight, making victory close to essential, while their opponents, Pafos, arrive in west London playing their first-ever competitive match against English opposition.
Chelsea v Pafos tips
• Chelsea to win – 7/50 with Bet365
• Over 2.5 goals – 9/25 with Bet365
• Cole Palmer to record 1+ shot on target – 2/5 with Bet365
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Chelsea to win
With Chelsea unbeaten in their last 14 Champions League home group or league-phase matches (W10, D4), it’s difficult to look beyond a routine home victory.
Rosenior’s side have won their last five at Stamford Bridge in this phase of the competition and have already beaten Brentford 2-0 at the weekend to steady domestic momentum.
Pafos, meanwhile, are yet to score away from home in the Champions League and have lost three of their last four away matches in all competitions. At 7/50, Chelsea to win is short but justified given the contrast in pedigree and experience.
Bet explanation: This bet wins if Chelsea beats Pafos regardless of the score.
Over 2.5 goals
Chelsea have scored exactly twice in four of their last five home matches, while Pafos have conceded exactly two goals in five of their last seven away games.
The Cypriot side have also faced a competition-high 123 shots in the league phase, suggesting sustained pressure for the Blues is inevitable here.
Even if Chelsea remain patient early, sustained dominance should tell as the match wears on, making over 2.5 goals at 9/25 a solid play.
Bet explanation: This bet wins if there are at least three goals scored in the game between Chelsea and Pafos.
Cole Palmer to record 1+ shot on target
Cole Palmer looks increasingly sharp after returning from injury and comes into this match fresh from scoring against Brentford at the weekend.
He registered a shot on target in his only Champions League appearance this season and has been involved in four goals across his last three major European outings for Chelsea.
Against a Pafos side that allows more shots than any other team in the competition, Palmer should find space between the lines and fancy his chances of testing the goalkeeper at least once. At 2/5, one or more shots on target appeals given his growing confidence.
Tip: Cole Palmer to record 1+ shot on target @ 2/5
Bet explanation: This bet wins if Cole Palmer plays at least one shot on target against Pafos.
Chelsea v Pafos odds
• Chelsea – 7/50 with Bet365
• Draw – 7/1 with Bet365
• Pafos – 16/1 with Bet365
Odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.