Champions League team news and prediction: Chelsea vs Sevilla
Chelsea get their Champions League campaign up and running with the welcome of Sevilla tonight. The Blues have spent big in the market and will hope their hefty investment can play a key role in replicating their 2012 Champions League success, but they'll need to get the better of the Europa League holders at Stamford Bridge to give themselves the perfect foundation for continental success.
In the build up to tonight's encounter at Stamford Bridge, we have all your need-to-know match information in one place, including team news, where you can catch the game and a scoreline prediction.
When is kick off?
Tuesday 20th October, 20:00 GMT
Where is the match?
Stamford Bridge, London
Where can I watch it?
BT Sport
How they qualified
Chelsea booked their place in the Champions League on the final day of the Premier League season with a 2-0 win over Wolves ensuring the finished in the top four. While Leicester's defeat to Manchester United meant they didn't need to really bust a gut to finish in the Champions League spots, the Blues were comfortable to finish the game, and the season, with all three points.
For Sevilla, they had a top-four finish wrapped up with two games to spare in LaLiga as Villarreal lost two of their last three games of the season. Just for good measure, though, Sevilla lived up to their Europa League experts tag, lifting the trophy for the sixth time in their history at Inter's expense in August.
Team News
Thiago Silva sat out Saturday's 3-3 draw with Southampton as Frank Lampard rested the Brazilian with tonight's Champions League clash in mind. Silva is set to partner Andreas Christensen at the heart of the defence, while Lampard will hope to have Edouard Mendy available. The summer arrival was injured the stalemate at Stamford Bridge and it saw Kepa concede three and commit another error, so the Senegal international's availability will be a huge boost. Billy Gilmour, however, is ruled out, but Hakim Ziyech at least made his debut at the weekend after overcoming injury.
A huge blow for Sevilla comes at the heart of the defence with Jules Kounde ruled out after he tested positive for COVID-19 following the international beak. The young centre-back was linked with a move to Manchester City over the summer and his absence hinders Sevilla's chances of a positive result in west London. Sergio Escudero is also set to miss out with injury after lasting just 18 minutes in the 1-0 loss to Granada, which paves the way for summer signing Marcos Acuna to start at left-back.
Probable XIs
Chelsea (4231) - Mendy; James, Silva, Christensen, Chilwell; Kante, Jorginho; Ziyech, Havertz, Mount; Werner
Sevilla (433) - Bounou; Navas, Gomez, Carlos, Acuna; Jordan, Fernando, Rakitic; Suso, De Jong, Ocampos
Key Battle - Reece James vs Jesus Navas
Both sides rely on the attacking output of the full-backs to help stretch opponents and it could be that the respective right-backs have the biggest influence for Chelsea and Sevilla, respectively. Reece James was a late introduction against Southampton at the weekend, so should be fit and firing on all cylinders for Sevilla tonight. The England international started the season strongly, scoring one and assisting another in the 3-1 win at Brighton, but has gone off the boil a little in recent weeks.
A former Premier League man operates at right-back for the away side with Jesus Navas, like James, starting the season brightly. The experienced Spaniard has two assists to his name this season, which for a Sevilla side that has scored just five league goals, is a commendable return. Only two players have made more key passes than Navas (13) in LaLiga this season, which reinforces his importance to a Sevilla side aiming to get their Champions League campaign off to a winning start at Stamford Bridge tonight.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-2 Sevilla
