Qarabag vs Chelsea Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
by Alex Lawes ·
Updated
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Azeri champions Qarabag have been good to watch thus far and they will be hoping to make a statement as they take on English giants Chelsea in Baku this midweek.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Qarabag preview: Strong Qarabag
Qarabag come into this one on the back of a comfortable and impressive 2-0 defeat of Mil-Mugan in the Azeri Premier League at the weekend. The Azeri champions have been the dominant force in Azerbaijan but they sit second in the table, behind Turan.
In the league phase of the UEFA Champions League, Qarabag started with an impressive victory in Lisbon against Benfica before a win against Copenhagen and then a defeat to Athletic Club at San Mames a few weeks ago, after taking the lead.
Chelsea preview: Excellent Chelsea
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea are reigning UEFA Europa Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup winners but they far too inconsistent to be declared favourites or real contenders for the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.
The Blues did manage to earn themselves a victory at the weekend as they defeated Tottenham Hotspur by a goal to nil at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a first-half winner scored by Brazil international attacker Joao Pedro.
Qarabag team news: Couple of injuries
Qarabag head into this one on the back of a couple of injury issues for this one as key striker Nariman Akhundzade is sidelined alongside winger Marko Jankovic.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Kochalski; Silva, Mustafadze, Medina, Cafarguliyev; Bicalho, Kady; Duran, Andrade, Zoubir; Addai
Unavailable: Akhundzade (Injured), Jankovic (Injured)
Questionable:
Chelsea team news: A few issues
Enzo Maresca may be expected to rotate his side a bit this week and could bring in Estevao after ruling out Pedro Neto, but it is up in the air as to whether Liam Delap can get minutes after he was criticised by the Blues head coach.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo; Estevao, Fernandez, Garnacho; Guiu
Unavailable: Colwill (Injured), Badiashile (Injured), Essugo (Injured), Palmer (Injured), Mudryk (Disciplinary), Neto (Undisclosed)
Questionable:
Qarabag vs Chelsea prediction
Qarabag will sense an excellent opportunity to make a statement in Baku this week. The hosts play an enterprising and front foot style of football that has been effective in this competition thus far. They face a Chelsea side that have often been too fallible to be real challengers and Qarabag will fancy themselves to hurt the Blues but Chelsea remain the firm favourites for this one in the Azeri capital city.
Qarabag vs Chelsea Tip: Chelsea to win & both teams to score
