Spartak Moscow vs Chelsea – Youngsters in Chelsea run-out
Published:John Terry will return to Moscow for the first time since missing a crucial penalty in the 2008 Champions League final, and he will need to banish his demons in the Luzhniki Stadium if Chelsea are to win.
Match Odds
Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard continue to spend time on the sidelines as Chelsea look to bounce back from their dour stalemate with Aston Villa on Saturday – Chelsea are 1/1 to beat Spartak Moscow.
Michael Essien will be rested which will allow Josh McEachran a chance to impress, and Drogba’s loss paves the way for Gael Kakuta to start.
Spartak will be without Brazilian playmaker Alex for the Group F clash, but striker Welliton survived an hour in Spartak’s 3-0 win over Alania last Saturday and will start the game that his side are 11/4 to win.
Total Goals
Welliton has 16 goals in 18 league appearances this season and John Terry will need to be aware of the Brazilian’s movement and pace if Chelsea are to keep a clean sheet in Moscow – they are 6/4 to do so.
Chelsea have only faced one Russian team in Europe before, keeping a clean sheet in both ties against CSKA Moscow while Spartak have only kept 2 clean sheets in 24 matches.
However, those clean sheets have come in their last two games and Spartak had previously gone 22 games without a win before winning their last three European games in a row.
Chelsea haven’t won consecutive away games in the Champions League since 2004 and Carlo Ancelotti would take the point if offered now – 12/5 is available for the game to end in a draw.
Marseille vs MSK Zilina
Marseille must win at home if they are to have any chance of progressing but they are yet to score in the competition and a draw holds the value at 4/1.
A consecutive 0-0 draw for Chelsea is available at 8/1. See the full Spartak Moscow vs Chelsea betting odds market here.
