Chelsea vs Pafos Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
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Chelsea continue the Liam Rosenior era with the visit of Cypriot champions Pafos, a surprise package in the UEFA Champions League, to Stamford Bridge.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Chelsea preview: Fourth comp for Rosenior
Liam Rosenior’s reign as Chelsea has begun with four matches across all four competitions, beginning with a 5-1 demolition of Charlton Athletic in the third round of the FA Cup before a 3-2 loss to Arsenal in the first-leg of their EFL Cup semi-final.
The Blues then managed to defeat west London rivals Brentford by two goals to nil in the Premier League at the weekend with Joao Pedro in the first-half before a Cole Palmer penalty in the second-half, albeit with a very underwhelming performance.
Pafos preview: Surprise package Pafos
Having won the Cypriot title for the first time ever last season, Pafos managed to surprise many by qualifying for the league phase of the UEFA Champions League, where they have a real chance of pushing themselves into the top 24.
The Cypriots have started the league phase of the UEFA Champions League campaign with one win, three draws and two defeats thus far, sitting a point outside of the top 24. They have been inconsistent domestically of late, though.
Chelsea team news: Sickness bug
As was the case with Liam Delp, Chelsea are dealing with a couple of other players that are reportedly dealing with illness issues, such as Jamie Bynoe-Gittems and Estevao.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro
Unavailable: Colwill (Injured), Lavia (Injured), Mudryk (Disciplinary)
Questionable: Adarabioyo (Injured), Gusto (Injured), Bynoe-Gittens (Illness), Estevao (Illness)
Pafos team news: Nothing fresh
There are no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues for Pafos to deal with this midweek with only versatile attacker Pedrao a confirmed absentee for the visitors.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Michael; Luckassen, Luiz, Goldar; Felipe, Sunjic, Rodrigues, Orsic; Correia, Dragomir; Anderson
Unavailable: Pedrao (Injured)
Questionable:
Chelsea vs Pafos prediction
Pafos come into this one on the back of a 2-0 defeat to Olympiakos in the Cypriot First Division at the weekend and they now sit five points adrift of Omonia Nicosia. However, their full focus is on this game and making things extremely difficult for Chelsea. If the weekend is anything to go by then Chelsea are going to take some time to become naturally fluent under Rosenior and so it may not be a great watch for the neutral but the hosts must surely come out on top in the capital city.
Chelsea vs Pafos Tip: Chelsea to win & under 3.5 goals
