Qarabag vs Chelsea Prediction: Blues to have too much for the hosts

Chelsea will be gunning for a third consecutive victory in the Uefa Champions League when they travel to face Qarabag on Wednesday (17:45 GMT, TNT Sports 2).

The hosts were beaten at Athletic Club on matchday three after winning their opening two fixtures against Benfica and Copenhagen. Read on for my Qarabag vs Chelsea predictions, accompanied by the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Ramil Sheydayev was not named in Qarabag's UCL squad and will have no part to play in this contest.

Joni Montiel returned to action with a substitute appearance at the weekend after over a year out of action, but he too will miss out because he is not named in the hosts' squad for this competition.

After scoring and assisting for the Azerbaijani champions against Imisli at the weekend, Abdellah Zoubir could provide a huge threat to Chelsea from the left flank.

Leandro Andrade is their top scorer after three games, and the attacking midfielder is another player the visitors need to be wary of.

Football Odds

Cole Palmer (groin), Levi Colwill (knee), Benoit Badiashile (unspecified) and Dario Essugo (thigh) remain out of action for Chelsea, while Mykhailo Mudryk is still provisionally suspended for breaching anti-doping regulations.

Having served a suspension for his red card against Benfica in the thumping victory over Ajax, Joao Pedro, the match-winner against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, is expected to come back into the side on Wednesday.

Liam Delap is also under consideration to feature here after recently overcoming a thigh injury and he will be pushing to make his Champions League debut. Estevao is another who will be itching to start in this contest.

Key midfielder Moises Caicedo may be handed a rest here, which could give Romeo Lavia an opportunity to impress on the European stage.

Today's Football Fixtures

Qarabag vs Chelsea Odds

Qarabag are 15/2 to come out on top in this clash despite winning two of their opening three fixtures in the UCL.

Chelsea have won six of their past seven matches across all competitions and they are 4/11 to come away with the three points. Better value can be found in backing the Blues and both teams to score, which has landed in three of those victories.

This is priced at 13/8, which has an implied probability of 38.1%. The draw is available at 9/2, while BTTS - Yes on its own is priced at 4/5.

Chelsea and Over 3.5 Goals @ 7/4

Chelsea demonstrated their firepower when they fired five goals past Ajax last time out in the Champions League and that was accomplished without forwards Joao Pedro and Delap.

Both are back available for this one, which only strengthens the Blues' ranks. Qarabag have had a decent start in the league phase and they are a side that Chelsea cannot afford to estimate. However, I think when it comes to quality in depth, there is a huge difference between the two teams and I am predicting this to be reflected out on the pitch.

I am confident that Chelsea make it three European wins on the spin but I also think there will be plenty of goals on offer here so I've added over 3.5 goals to the selection. There have been at least four goals scored in two of the visitors' previous four outings in all competitions.

Both Teams To Score - Yes @ 4/5

Chelsea should be able to win this one fairly comfortably given their attacking options but I do think Qarabag will have their part to play in this contest. I think backing both teams to score is a smart play here because the two clubs have both seen this selection land in two of their three appearances in the league phase so far.

Qarabag can certainly pose a few problems on home turf and I still have some doubts about Chelsea's back line, who can be prone to mistakes.

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