Valencia v Chelsea - Champions League Match Preview
Valencia welcome Chelsea to the Mestalla this evening for the second round of games in the 2011/12 Champions League group stage.
Date: Wednsday 28 September 2011 Kick off: 19:45 Location: Mestalla Competition: UEFA Champions LeagueWatch Live: Sky Sports HD La Liga side Valencia drew in their first Champions League group game with Genk 0-0. Unai Emery's men finished 3rd in La Liga last term and now find themselves a established Champions League side. But whether they'll be able to keep finishing in the top four every season is dubious as now they have teams such as Sevilla and big spenders Malaga chasing their tail. Valencia have some good players, though. Adil Rami, brought in from French champions Lille in the summer, is the rock at the heart of the Valencia defence but he'll no doubt have a big test against the Chelsea frontline tonight. In midfield Pablo Hernandez will probably cause the most danger with his pace and abilty to glide past an opponent. Then upfront Robert Solado has to be the key man as he scored a total of 25 goals in 44 apps last campaign for Valencia and has already scored 5 goals in 4 apps this season. The Spanish international is in deadly form. They are also at home and known for their atmospheric fans so this won't be an easy game for Chelsea. Chelsea will be heading into tonight's match with three points already under their belt as they beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 at Stamford Bridge just a fortnight ago. Villa-Boas will also feel that extra bit of less pressure with the cup expectations as his side proceeded past Round 3 of the Carling Cup last Tuesday night with a win over Fulham. Boas' men are in fine form in the Premier League and should be aiming to make their points tally doubled by tonight with a win over their Spanish opponents. Valencia Team News Midfielder David Albelda bruised his back against Barcelona and didn't feature at the weekend against Sevilla but is still likely to play according to Valencia coach Whilst Mehmet Topal tore a shoulder muscle in the goalless draw with Belgian side Genk last time out PROBABLE LINEUP:
One to look out for: Roberto Solado. Lethal infront of goal and his pace and movement should give the Chelsea backline problems. Chelsea Team News Daniel Sturridge is expected to be fit after recovering from a knee injury Ramires is available after missing Chelsea's opener against Leverkusen through suspension Romelu Lukaku is ineligible to play Alex, Paulo Ferreria and Josh McEachran did not travel with the team to Spain Juan Mata will face his old club as he moved from Valencia to Chelsea in the summer PROBABLE LINEUP:One to look out for: Fernando Torres. Finally finding his best form again and is used to playing against Valencia through his past La Liga days.
One to look out for: Roberto Solado. Lethal infront of goal and his pace and movement should give the Chelsea backline problems. Chelsea Team News Daniel Sturridge is expected to be fit after recovering from a knee injury Ramires is available after missing Chelsea's opener against Leverkusen through suspension Romelu Lukaku is ineligible to play Alex, Paulo Ferreria and Josh McEachran did not travel with the team to Spain Juan Mata will face his old club as he moved from Valencia to Chelsea in the summer PROBABLE LINEUP:One to look out for: Fernando Torres. Finally finding his best form again and is used to playing against Valencia through his past La Liga days. -------
Nathan's Prediction: Valencia 1-2 Chelsea