Chelsea vs. Valencia
- What: Uefa Champions League group H, matchday one
- When: Tuesday 17 September
- Where: Stamford Bridge, London, England
- Kick-off time: 8pm
- TV and live stream: live on BT Sport 3 and BT Sport Ultimate
Champions League football returns to Stamford Bridge with Chelsea taking on Spanish side Valencia on matchday one of group H.
Chelsea won last season’s Europa League under Maurizio Sarri, but in the dugout at the Bridge on Tuesday night will be club legend Frank Lampard.
The former England midfielder won the Champions League playing for the Blues in 2012 but the clash against Valencia will be his first as a manager in European football.
Lampard is expecting a tough group with Valencia, Ajax and Lille and he said: “I’m confident but very aware of the dangers.
“Our target is to qualify from a tough group. It is different [from league football]; the main thing is that the concentration levels throughout the game have to be spot on. The different level can surprise you. I have belief in the players. I think we have talent that can blossom in the Champions League.
“I had some incredible nights in the Champions League, and some bad ones.
“It’s the ultimate in club football. There is something about Stamford Bridge, Champions League football and that music. I will be proud to do it.”
Ajax host Lille in the other group H fixture (8pm, live on BT Sport Extra 2).
TV and live stream details
Tuesday’s clash at Stamford Bridge will be live on BT Sport 3 and BT Sport Ultimate. Coverage begins at 7.15pm and the match kicks off at 8pm. Sport.bt.com will also have a live stream of the game for BT Sport customers.
Team news and starting XIs
Chelsea team news
London Evening Standard reports that midfielder N’Golo Kante remains a doubt after missing the 5-2 win at Wolves at the weekend.
Sky Sports says that defenders Antonio Rudiger and Emerson are also out of action.
Winger Callum Hudson-Odoi and full-back Reece James are back in training but are not expected to feature. Midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek remains on the sidelines.
Valencia team news
Valencia boss Albert Celades will be without long-term injury absentees Carlos Soler and Cristiano Piccini.
How the teams could line up
- Chelsea possible starting XI (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Azpilicueta, Tomori, Christensen, Alonso; Jorginho, Kovacic; Pedro, Mount, Pulisic; Abraham
- Valencia possible starting XI (4-4-2): Cillessen; Wass, Gabriel, Garay, Gaya; Ferran Torres, Coquelin, Parejo, Guedes; Rodrigo, Gameiro
Chelsea vs. Valencia predictions
Joe Krishnan, London Evening Standard
“Scoring goals hasn’t been a problem for Lampard’s men, but the fact [is] they have conceded 13 in just six games under Lampard. That could give Valencia some hope in grabbing at least one goal at Stamford Bridge, although the Blues are expected to come through their first European test with a narrow victory. Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Valencia.”
Darren Plant, SportsMole
“If ever a game was guaranteed goals, this would probably be it. While both managers will be striving for improved defensive performances, they are unlikely to materialise overnight, and we feel that the two teams will cancel each other out in an entertaining tussle in England’s capital. Prediction: Chelsea 2-2 Valencia.”
Harry Edwards, Squawka
“Chelsea did show some signs of weakness at Molineux, but Valencia looked unconvincing in their defeat to Barcelona in their first game post-Marcelino. Expect Tuesday to not go too much better for the Spaniards. Scoreline prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Valencia.”
Roger Gonzalez, CBS Sports
“[Tammy] Abraham scores, but a valiant Valencia gets a goal to steal a point from Maxi Gomez. Pick: Chelsea 1 Valencia 1.”
Tuesday 17 September fixtures
Group E
- FC Red Bull Salzburg vs. KRC Genk (8pm, live on BT Sport Extra 4)
- Napoli vs. Liverpool (8pm, live on BT Sport 2)
Group F
- Inter Milan vs. Slavia Prague (5.55pm, live on BT Sport 1)
- Borussia Dortmund vs. Barcelona (8pm, live on BT Sport ESPN)
Group G
- Lyon vs. Zenit St Petersburg (5.55pm live on BT Sport ESPN)
- Benfica vs. RB Leipzig (8pm, live on BT Sport Extra 3)
Group H
- Ajax vs. Lille (8pm, live on BT Sport Extra 2)
- Chelsea vs. Valencia (8pm, live on on BT Sport 3 and BT Sport Ultimate)
Wednesday 18 September fixtures
Group A
- Club Brugge vs. Galatasaray (5.55pm live on BT Sport 1)
- Paris Saint-Germain vs. Real Madrid (8pm, live on BT Sport 2 and BT Sport Ultimate)
Group B
- Olympiakos vs. Tottenham Hotspur (5.55pm, live on BT Sport 2)
- Bayern Munich vs. Red Star Belgrade (8pm, live on BT Sport Extra 2)
Group C
- Dinamo Zagreb vs. Atalanta (8pm, live on BT Sport Extra 3)
- Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Manchester City (8pm, live on BT Sport 3)
Group D
- Atlético Madrid vs. Juventus (8pm, live on BT Sport ESPN)
- Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs. Lokomotiv Moscow (8pm, live on BT Sport Extra 4)
