Despite being at the early stage of his tenure with Chelsea, under pressure manager Andre Villas-Boas has described their Champions League encounter with Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday as a ‘massive game’ (Bayer Leverkusen 5/2, draw 12/5, Chelsea 23/20).
The Portuguese boss has been on the losing side in three of his last four Premier League outings with the Blues, who now find themselves 12 points off the pace from frontrunners Manchester City.
A 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge to Liverpool has heightened pressure on the 34-year-old but his side have a chance to get back to winning ways against their Bundesliga opponents.
Chelsea travel to the BayArena with an unbeaten record in the Champions League this term and a victory over Bayer Leverkusen would put them in a strong position at the top of Group E.
The Blues ran out comfortable 2-0 winners in the game at Stamford Bridge between these two sides and the German outfit never really looked like causing Chelsea too many problems.
It will be a different challenge to take on Leverkusen in their own back-yard but despite their poor form, AVB’s side is still packed with quality and have plenty of experience of playing on the continent.
Striker Daniel Sturridge (11/2 first goalscorer) bagged himself another Premier League goal on the weekend and it will be interesting to see if he has done enough to earn himself a starting role on Wednesday night.
Fernando Torres continues to struggle for goals, whilst Didier Drogba has not looked like the same player that has lit up the competition in the past.
Chelsea are struggling for goals and one of these players will need to take their chances if the Premier League outfit are to get a result at the BayArena.
Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last three games in the Bundesliga and Blues old boy Michael Ballack has been knocking the goals in for them in recent weeks, and will be keen to get one over on his former employers.
However, judging by their first encounter, Chelsea should have enough to win this game and all but seal their place in the knockout stages of the competition and relieve the pressure on AVB.
Arsenal also continue their journey in Europe as they host German opponents of their own in the form of Borussia Dortmund (Arsenal Evs, draw 13/5, Dortmund 11/4).
The Gunners would also take great strides towards reaching the latter stages of the Champions League if they can pick up three points at the Emirates.
Arsenal managed to squeeze out a 1-1 draw in the previous meeting between these two sides, when they were denied all three points by a late equaliser.
The north London side were dominated for much of the game but at home they should be able to keep hold of the ball more and create more chances.
Skipper Robin Van Persie (7/2 first goalscorer) has scored 10 goals in his last five outings in the Premier League but has only bagged one goal in the Champions League group. The Dutch international is carrying the team at the moment and he will have to have another big game for Arsenal to win this one.
Dortmund will more than likely look to attack Arsenal on the break, which is where manager Arsene Wenger’s side look vulnerable.
This is set to be another close encounter between to fairly matched teams but Arsenal might have the edge to win this one and continue their decent run.
Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.