Champions League
2011-09-13 - Chelsea vs Bayer Leverkusen
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : Champions League Match Day 1
Tuesday 13 September 2011 - Kickoff 7:45pm
This game is live on TV
Chelsea
There are a few questions surrounding the happiness of the squad at Stamford Bridge, with the latest story being Fernando Torres having to explain his remarks that were reported over the weekend. Torres was dropped at Sunderland after reports came out that he considered his bad form down to his team-mates at Chelsea, claiming they were 'old and slow' and Juan Mata would make a big difference. With the Champions League beginning on Tuesday and then a trip to Old Trafford next Sunday, this is not a good sign for Chelsea and perhaps shows there are a few problems inside the dressing room.
Even without Torres, Chelsea picked up 3 points at the weekend that pushed them up to 3rd in the Premier League table having taken 10 points from their 4 League fixtures. They are 2-0-0 at home, scoring 5 goals and conceding 2, although they did look a little devoid of creativity in both of those wins. Chelsea beat West Brom 2-1 having fallen behind, and needed late goals to see off Norwich 3-1.
The Blues have won just 1 of their last 5 Champions League games, losing back to back to Manchester United in the Quarter Finals and also losing their final game in the Group Stages to Marseille. They had a 3-1-1 home record, winning all 3 Group games while scoring 8 goals and conceding 2.
I would be surprised if Fernando Torres is brought back into the starting line up following Daniel Sturridge's and Nicolas Anelka's performance on Saturday. However, if the Spaniard can explain his comments, perhaps he will get the start. Didier Drogba is hoping to be back for the game against United at the weekend, while Ramires is suspended. Romelu Lukaku is not in the Champions League squad.
Bayer Leverkusen
Much like Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen are a famous name in the Champions League era after reaching the Final in 2002 before falling to Real Madrid. That team was full of star names like Lucio and Michael Ballack, but it has been a long time since they were able to play in this competition. In fact, this will be Leverkusen's first Champions League campaign since the 2004/05 season.
The team have made a decent start to their Bundesliga campaign having picked up 10 points from the opening 5 games of the season. That sees the side sitting in 4th place only 2 points behind Bayern Munich at the top of the pile. Leverkusen are 2-0-1 in the League away from home this season, scoring 5 goals and conceding 3.
Leverkusen are unbeaten since losing the first game of the season at Mainz and they have won back to back games away from home.
Bayer Leverkusen reached the last 16 of the Europa League last season, going unbeaten in their first 10 European games before losing both legs to Villarreal. They finished 3-2-1 away from home, gaining a credible result at Atletic Madrid, but Chelsea is the best team they will have faced for a while in European terms.
Rene Adler, the first choice goalkeeper, has been sidelined recently and it looks unlikely for him to return to the side. Bastian Oczipka is out as he recovers from a broken ankle, while Tranquillo Barnetta has just had surgery on his knee. The big question mark is whether Michael Ballack will start against his former club, although Robin Dutt is keeping his cards close to his chest on the matter.
Head to Head
This will be the first competitive meeting between the teams.
Chelsea have not lost to a German side at home in 5 previous games of which they have won 4.
Leverkusen have not won any of their 7 trips to England. They draw at Blackburn in a Europa League game the last time they came to England, but had lost 5 of their previous 6 visits.
Prediction
Chelsea are rightly the favourites to win this game especially considering they have won 9 of their last 10 home games at this stage of the competition.
My biggest concern for them is whether Fernando Torres' comments at the weekend has caused a disruption in the home dressing room or whether he has been able to explain what he meant by the comments.
Andre Villa-Boas impressed me at the weekend by playing a team with a lot more pace and guile when starting Anelka, Mata and Sturridge and employing Raul Meireles in the midfield. A lack of creativity and pace, exactly what Torres said, was their main issues at the start of the season but they played well enough at Sunderland to suggest there is plenty left in their tank.
Bayer Leverkusen have not had the experience in their side of playing at the top level of European football and Chelsea will represent a step up from the competition they faced in the Europa League last season.
They have gained good results on their travels over the last 12 months at Borussia Dortmund, Werder Bremen and Atletico Madrid, but a heavy 5-1 defeat at Bayern Munich is a concern.
The absence of Rene Adler is further cause to worry for the German side and I think the Chelsea team will be able to use their experience to win the game with a little bit to spare.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Chelsea 3-1 Bayer Leverkusen
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Chelsea -1.25 Asian Handicap @ 2.00
