Chelsea host Valencia, as Liverpool visit Napoli

Monday, September 16th 2019|

The Champions League returns on Tuesday night for gameweek one of a brand exciting campaign. Here is a look at the big games taking place on the first night of the return of Europe’s top-flight:

Chelsea face Spanish test at Stamford Bridge

New Chelsea boss Frank Lampard takes charge of the Blues for the first time on Tuesday night, as the Blues welcome Valencia to Stamford Bridge.

The Europa League holders will be hoping to make a big impression on the competition after last years success in the European game. Chelsea do not have the best of recent records in the Champions League of late, winning just one of their last six outings in the competition, with their last spell in the competition back in season 2017/18.

Although they have drawn their last three home games in the Champions League, they have lost just once in 12 matches at Stamford Bridge in this competition. They are favourites to pull off another victory in this clash too.

Chelsea’s young striker Tammy Abraham will be looking to take his domestic form into the European, as he has now scored seven times in his last three Blues appearances.

Valencia have made a poor start to their campaign so far in La Liga, winning just one of their four matches so far. Last time out, Los Ches suffered a 5-2 defeat against a Messi-less Barcelona. It was not the start that new boss Albert Celades will have dreamt about.

The visitors have a slightly mixed recent record in the Champions League. However, they have recorded just two wins in their last nine matches in the competition. Los Ches have also won just one of their last seven away games in Europe’s elite competition, scoring just once in their previous five games on their travels.

Napoli v Liverpool

European champions Liverpool kick-off the defence of their crown with a trip to Naples to face Napoli.

Napoli have made a mixed start to the new campaign, winning twice and losing once in the opening three weeks of the Serie A season. The team from Naples have really enjoyed mixed fortunes in the Champions League in recent seasons too. However, a record of two wins from seven games in the competition is not a great one.

They also have a mixed recent record against Liverpool, as last season Carlo Ancelotti’s team also faced the Merseysider’s in the group stages, winning the home game 1-0 before losing the reverse fixture by the same scoreline.

The Italian team does have a strong home recent record in the Champions League, winning five of their last seven matches, while suffering just one defeat in the process. With Liverpool in such good form, that good record could be in major danger.

Liverpool have made a formidable start to their Premier League campaign, winning all five of their league games so far, while scoring at least twice in all five wins.

As you would expect of the holders, the Reds have a good recent record in the Champions League, having recorded five wins in their last six European outings, once again proving lethal in front of goal scoring at least two goals in all five wins.

Jurgen Klopp’s away record in the Champions League has improved of late, as they have won two of their last three matches on their travels. The visitors will be confident of coming home with maximum points this time around.