Champions League
2011-11-01 - Genk vs Chelsea
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : Champions League Match Day 4
Tuesday 1 November 2011 - Kickoff 7:45pm
This game is live on TV
Genk
Genk were considered to be one of the weakest teams in the Champions League at this stage of the competition, and they have struggled to really impose their game against the better opposition they have faced. They have also got a fight on their hands in their domestic campaign where they trail Anderlecht by 10 points at this early stage of the new season.
The team have yet to score a goal in the Group Stage, but they have had a very difficult Group, facing the likes of Valencia, Bayer Leverkusen and Chelsea. While they had not scored, Genk had earned a 0-0 draw in their opening game here against Valencia, while being beaten comfortably in two away games at Leverkusen and last time out at Stamford Bridge. The team are still in with a shout of qualifying for the last 16, but I believe it would be a real success if they finish 3rd and qualify for the Europa League.
Genk surprised Club Brugge with a 4-5 win away from home at the weekend, but they had lost 5 of their previous 6 games in all competitions. They have also lost 2 of their last 3 games at home, failing to score in both defeats. In fact, Genk have failed to score in 4 of their last 6 home games in all competitions.
Daniel Pudil misses out as he is suspended for picking up a booking in each of the first 3 Group games, while David Hubert and Jeroen Simaeys have both been out for as long as a month. Anele Ngongca, Abel Masuero and Marvin Ogunjimi are all hoping to return from missing the win on Saturday.
Chelsea
While Genk were winning 4-5 at the weekend, Chelsea had a surprising 3-5 home loss to Arsenal to deal with. That was the end of a tricky week for Chelsea as they lost at QPR in the West London Derby, while the club Captain John Terry is under investigation from the FA for alleged racial abuse.
Chelsea will look to get back on the horse after their latest setback by putting a big foot into the last 16 of this competition. They have picked up 7 points from their opening 3 games and are currently 1 point better off than Bayer Leverkusen at the top of the Group. Chelsea are a further 5 points better off than Valencia and will essentially qualify if they can win tonight and Valencia fail to beat Leverkusen.
The Blues had been unbeaten in 6 games in all competitions before the loss to QPR and have now lost 2 of their last 3 games while failing to win any of them since beating Genk 5-0 at home a couple of weeks ago. Chelsea have won just 1 of their last 5 away games in all competitions and they have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 6 away games since drawing with Stoke City 0-0 on the opening day of the season.
Didier Drogba is available even though he is serving a domestic suspension. There are no new injury worries for Andre Villa-Boas apart from long-term absentee Michael Essien.
Head to Head
Their meeting at Stamford Bridge a couple of weeks ago was the first competitive one between the teams.
Prediction
Chelsea will be looking to bounce back with a win tonight and essentially secure their passage into the last 16 of this competition and I think they will be too strong for the Belgian side.
The defeat to Arsenal was very disappointing, especially the way the side defended in the game, but I think this is something that Genk may not be able to take advantage of.
Chelsea should play a strong team to ensure they pick up the 3 points and I think they will be capable of scoring at least a couple of goals tonight against a team that looked a little overawed in their game at Stamford Bridge a couple of weeks ago.
The Asian Handicap is set with Chelsea giving up 1.75 goals, meaning a 2 goal win would still pay half our stake and a 3 goal win would offer a full payout. I will have a small interest in Chelsea bouncing back with a big win.
The Pick :
Genk 0-3 Chelsea
