class=”article_teaser__2t5do”>Having added a dangerous attack to the backline that earned them Champions League glory, Al Hain-Cole is backing the Blues to kick off with a big win
Chelsea will begin the defence of their Champions League crown by welcoming Zenit St Petersburg to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
Thomas Tuchel’s men look in strong shape to follow up last season’s final win over Manchester City, having added Romelu Lukaku to an already star-studded team over the summer.
Chelsea vs Zenit latest odds
Having won three and lost none of their four opening league fixtures, Chelsea are clear 2/11 (1.18) favourites with bet365 to get up and running with a victory on home soil.
Zenit have lost eight of their last 10 fixtures in this competition and are hefty 16/1 (17.00) outsiders to upset the champions with a shock win in west London, or priced at 6/1 (7.00) to earn even a single point.
TV channel, live stream & how to watch
BT Sport 2 BT Sport app
The game is being shown live on BT Sport 2 in the United Kingdom (UK). The BT Sport app will be streaming the game live online.
Chelsea vs Zenit team news
N’Golo Kante will face a late fitness test as he struggles with an ankle injury, while Christian Pulisic is definitely ruled out.
Dmitri Christyakov is a doubt due to an ankle injury, with Magomed Ozdoev unavailable after damaging his knee ligaments on the opening day of the Russian league season.
Chelsea vs Zenit preview
While they lifted their second Champions League trophy as slight outsiders last season, the Blues will certainly be one of the favourites to go all the way this time out.
Having looked solid but sometimes unspectacular in their first half-season under Tuchel, Lukaku’s arrival has already added a major goal threat to go with their extremely solid defensive set-up.
This does not bode well for Sergei Semak’s men, who have struggled to match their extremely dominant recent domestic performances with competitive displays in European competition.
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Indeed, the Russian champions have lost their last five successive away matches in the Champions League against RB Leipzig, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund and Club Brugge, conceding 13 goals and scoring just twice.
It is therefore hard to see them stepping up against a home team that have eased to successive 3-0 victories in their first two home games of the Premier League season.
Chelsea vs Zenit tips & predictions
In fact, Chelsea look well worth 6/4 (2.50) odds to win by at least three clear goals once again when they face a Zenit side that have not travelled well in Europe of late.
All odds correct at time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.