Chelsea head to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Wednesday night knowing there is no room for error, as they face Napoli in a decisive final match of the Champions League group phase.
It’s a meeting poised to be littered with plenty of reunions, but the stakes are much higher for both sides, with a spot in the knockout rounds on the line.
Chelsea are heading into this contest on the back of a thumping 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in what was arguably the Blues’ best performance of the Liam Rosenior era.
That victory also extended Chelsea’s unbeaten streak against Palace to 18 games.
It also stretched their recent winning run to three games on the bounce and four wins from their last five since Enzo Maresca’s premature exit.
They’re now chasing a fourth consecutive victory for the first time since September-October last year.
However, that’ll be easier said than done given Chelsea’s appalling record in Italy. The Blues have won just two of their 13 European away games there (D3, L8).
Six of their last seven visits have ended in defeat, including a recent 2-1 loss to Atalanta. To make things worse for Rosenior and his troops, Napoli haven’t lost at home since December 2024.
How Chelsea could line up
Looking to steer Chelsea to an away win in the Champions League for the first time since October 2022, Rosenior will likely make four changes to the side that swatted aside Palace over the weekend.
Robert Sanchez was cruelly denied a clean sheet against Palace but should keep his spot, while Wesley Fofana and Malo Gusto return to the XI alongside Trevoh Chalobah and Marc Cucurella in defence.
Reece James was given an early breather last time out so he could partner Moises Caicedo at the base of midfield, allowing Enzo Fernandez to continue in the number 10 role with Cole Palmer sidelined.
Alejandro Garnacho should return to the XI while Estevao gets the nod ahead of 25-year-old Pedro Neto after his fantastic performance against Palace.
Joao Pedro should once again get the nod at the top end of the pitch.
