Graham Potter’s Chelsea face a huge test of their UEFA Champions League credentials against Red Bull Salzburg at Stamford Bridge.
Victory will lift Chelsea off the foot of the table whilst Salzburg could go top with a win if Dinamo Zagreb fail to win at AC Milan in the early evening kick-off.
Team News
Chelsea have no fresh injury concerns to report as Edouard Mendy looks to return in goal after he was rested for Chelsea’s defeat away to Dinamo Zagreb.
N’Golo Kante remains absent with a hamstring injury.
Denis Zakaria could make his debut after he was named as an unused substitute in last week’s defeat at Dinamo Zagreb.
Red Bull Salzburg could be without Kamil Piatkowski (thigh) and Sekou Koita (ankle).
Maximilian Wober (muscle), Samson Tijani (leg), Oumar Solet (hamstring), Luka Sucic (groin), Mamady Diambou (ankle) and Justin Omoregie (thigh) are ruled out.
Stat Attack
- This is Chelsea’s first-ever meeting against Red Bull Salzburg in all competitions.
- Red Bull Salzburg are visiting Stamford Bridge for the very first time in all competitions.
- Chelsea are facing Austrian opposition for the first time this century having faced Wiener Sport-Club in 1965-66 season then Austria Vienna in 1994-95 season.
- Chelsea are unbeaten in two previous home matches against Austrian opposition in all UEFA competitions (W1, D1).
- Salzburg have lost all three previous away matches against English opposition in all UEFA competitions (L4).
Prediction
Having been appointed as Chelsea manager last Thursday afternoon, Graham Potter has now had nearly a week to settle in and study his new squad, whilst introducing the players to his fluid yet flexible attacking style of play so expectations will be high coming into this match.
Salzburg though cannot be underestimated because they have a suffocating press and are dangerous out wide, which certainly could cause Chelsea issues if their recent defensive sloppiness continues into this new era under Potter.
The home crowds though should provide Chelsea players with a morale boost as they look to begin Potter’s reign in style, although I suspect that whether they win or draw could come down to their defensive quality.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 RB Salzburg
Result: Chelsea 1-1 RB Salzburg
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