[Chelsea FC News - Chelsea Football Club | The Chelsea FC] Valencia vs Chelsea LIVE - UEFA Champions League

[Vishal Marathe]

Valencia vs Chelsea

(UEFA Champions League) 

Date: Wed, 28th Sept. 2011; Kick-Off: 19:45 BST, 01:15 IST

Venue:Estadio Mestalla

Valencia vs Chelsea - Catch all the latest team news, match preview, pre-match analysis, interviews, followed by LIVE match and a lot more right here at Chelsea FC News.

Valencia vs Chelsea - Chelsea take on Valencia in the second match of group E tomorrow at Estadi de Mestalla. While Chelsea came off with a win in our first match against Bayer Leverkusen at Stamford Bridge, Valencia had to settle with a draw away at KRC genk.

Chelsea are coming off a handsome win over Swansea which saw them beat the newcomers 4-1 with Torres, Ramires (2 goals) and Drogba netting in for Chelsea. On the other hand Valencia lost to Sevilla 1-0 but had rested much of their prime squad as they had one eye on this Champions league fixture at home.

Both teams have shown good performances in their respective leagues, Valencia with their 2-2 draw against Barcelona and Chelsea producing an excellent display of football and determination (despite losing) against Manchester United.

Chelsea Team News

Juan Mata makes his return to the Spanish outfit just months after joining Chelsea in August. He will definely be apart of AVB's starting lineup for Wednesday.

Chelsea should welcome back Daniel Sturridge who missed the game against Swansea after suffering a knock on his leg in the Carling Cup tie against Fulham. Michael Essien is the only long term absentee.

AVB will make changes to the squad that beat Swansea 4-1 at Stamford Bridge, this after he had made it pretty clear that with so many matches happening around its good to have players rotated to keep them fresh.

So the likes of Lampard, Malouda and Luiz could feature in this tie. Fernando Torres would definitely get the nod after scoring in two consecutive league games and not to forget his red card which will see him sit out the next three premier league matches.

Valencia Team News

Valencia have a near full strength squad to pick from except Mehmet Topal the only player definitely ruled out of the clash.  

Diego Alves, David Albelda, Pablo Hernadez and Roberto Soldado should all start after being rested in their La Liga game against Sevilla on Saturday.

Probable Team Line-ups:

Valencia: Diego Alves, Barragan, Rami, Victor Ruiz, Mathieu, Banega, Albelda, Pablo, Parejo, Piatti, Soldado

Chelsea: Cech, Luiz, Alex, Terry, Cole, Mikel, Lampard, Mata, Ramires, Malouda, Drogba, Torres.

Referee: Nicola Rizzoli 

Do let us know what will be your starting line ups for the game against Valencia tomorrow. Who will start for you? Lampard, Drogba, Luiz, Anelka..... Put forward your thoughts and opinions

What can we expect from this game.... This will be definitely the next big game for AVB following our game against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Chelsea currently are on top in group E with three points after winning their opening fixture against Bayer Leverkusen whereas Valencia have a point after their hard earned draw away at Genk.

Will Chelsea go for the win or will we settle for the draw is the question I am looking at? With the squad we have and with AVB's rotation policy I see AVB going in with players that can try and get three points away at Valencia, and why not history suggests that we can achieve the same. 

Chelsea are unbeaten in their four encounters with Valencia (two wins, two draws). They met Valencia in the Champions League quarter-finals in April 2007 and then in the group stages in 2007/08. Chelsea have won both of their trips to the Mestalla, each time thanks to a 2-1 scoreline.

Chelsea have lost none of their last six Champions League away games in Spain (two wins, four draws). So stats are on our side but Valencia have showed good football in their last four league matches especially the one where they held Barca to a 2-2 draw.  Also Valencia have a bad record against English sides at their home ground having lost their last three games, two against Chelsea and one against Man U.

But just like Chelsea, Valencia are being headed by another young manager Unai Emery (39) who is next young manager next to Andre Villas Boas (33). And Valencia have shown good attacking football under his management. 

So we can expect a tight game but it wont be termed as overconfidence if we are expecting Chelsea to win this one. We have the squad, we have the talent which can register wins away from home. Match Lineups will be an excellent indication of what we can expect of. Valencia would definitely want to win this one not just because the game is at their home ground but also because they have just a solitary point on the table.

What can we expect from Juan Mata... No one must be as thrilled as Juan when the Champions League group stage draw was made. To face your ex-club in the Champions League is a special moment (just like Ballack when he faced Chelsea as part of the Bayer Leverkusen team).

Valencia was the club at which Mata made his career and became one of the most sought after player in the transfer window. And the games played so far he has proved to be one of the best buy's of the summer, an astute signing for Chelsea. He spent four years at the Mestalla Stadium before moving to Chelsea for £23million. 

Valencia of all must be knowing the strengths of Mata, but its different playing against it rather than with it. Under AVB Mata has really jelled into the formation and characteristics of English football and really expecting a good game from him. Not to forget he already has scored for Chelsea in the Champions league 2-0 win over Bayer leverkusen. His movement will definitely cause trouble to the Valencia defense.

Juan Mata shared a few thoughts ahead of the tie against Valencia:

"It is going to be a very special and emotional match for me playing so soon after leaving, I was there for four years and had a wonderful time."

"I will try to be respectful and not celebrate if I do score.”

A small video put together for Juan Mata 

Official team news, AVB Press Conference & interview followed by LIVE STREAMING to follow soon... 

In the mean time put on your thinking hats and predict the scoreline for this match... Login to our Facebook Fan page and predict your scores...who will score first for Chelsea.. and express your thoughts and opinions on the match...

So get ready for some pulsating action at Stamford Bridge. Come on CHELSEA!!! KTBFFH.

 

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Posted By Vishal Marathe to Chelsea FC News - Chelsea Football Club | The Chelsea FC at 9/27/2011 04:51:00 PM