Chelsea will qualify for the knockout stage of the Champions League if they get the better of Qarabag in Wednesday’s early kick-off.
Antonio Conte’s side have had their ups and downs so far this season, but they remain in a strong position as December approaches. Indeed, Saturday’s 4-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion keeps them in third place in the Premier League table, while they are also in an excellent position in the Champions League. Granted, their performance in a 3-0 defeat by Roma in this tournament was arguably the worst of the Conte era, but the west Londoners were superb in dispatching of Atletico a few weeks before that and are odds-on favourites to make it through to the round of 16.
Qarabag were hit for six by Chelsea on matchday one, but 1-1 and 0-0 draws with Atletico Madrid in their last two encounters show that Gurban Gurbanov's charges are a tougher nut to crack than many first thought. They are still huge underdogs to take anything from this game, but Qarabag have not disgraced themselves in what would be an extremely tough group for the most seasoned of Champions League participants, let alone a team making their debut in the competition this year.
Michy Batshuayi (ankle) and Charly Musonda (knee) will both miss out for the Blues, but Victor Moses could return following a lay-off with a hamstring problem. Conte again opted for a 3-5-1-1 formation in the victory over West Brom, fielding Eden Hazard in a central role just behind Alvaro Morata and N’Golo Kante, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Cesc Fabregas forming a midfield three. The Italian may return to a 3-4-2-1 here, though, with Pedro Rodriguez capable of providing a dash more speed and directness in transition.
Qarabag will have to make do without Tarik Elyounoussi and Badavi Guseynov, who are both currently sidelined with injury. The Azerbaijanis have switched between 4-2-3-1 and 4-1-4-1 formations in the Champions League this term and will probably select the former this week, partly because the hosts need a positive result to keep their slim qualification hopes alive, while also remaining in contention for third spot in the group and a place in the Europa League.
Qarabag performed well in their home match against Roma before holding Atletico to two consecutive draws, so they certainly look to be a better team than their 6-0 thrashing at Stamford Bridge back in September suggested. Nevertheless, an away win to nil looks like the most probable outcome on Wednesday – a result which would take Conte’s side through to the knockout rounds before Atletico take on Roma later that evening.
