Match Preview :

Chelsea have not been doing well in the Premiership, but they will want to put it aside as they welcome German side Bayer Leverkusen and clinch qualification for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has been feeling the heat this week after seeing his side slump to their worst Premier League start in the Roman Abramovich era. A win at the Bay Arena will seal the Blues' passage into the last 16 of Europe's elite competition and perhaps give the Portuguese boss some relief as well.

A draw is also good should Valencia fail to beat Racing Genk in the other tie. Chelsea will be looking to qualify for the 9th straight season for the knockout stages of the tournament.

However, Villas-Boas' future has been brought up after the club suffered their third defeat in four games in the Premiership going down 2-1 to Liverpool. The 34-year-old, who only replaced Carlo Ancelotti in the summer, has been widely criticised for sticking to an attacking philosophy which has left Chelsea's ageing backline exposed. And Leverkusen will fancy their chances of exposing their defensive vulnerability to put more pressure on the coach.

However, the German side, skippered by ex-Blue Michael Ballack, lost 2-0 when they last met at Stamford Bridge back in September. But they have won both home games since the opening-day defeat and need another victory to go ahead of unbeaten Chelsea in the race for the last 16.

Team News :

Chelsea will be without French striker Nicolas Anelka, who was left out of the Blues' travelling party with rumours that he could leave Chelsea in January. Right-back Paulo Ferreira was also left behind in London, with long-term injury victim Michael Essien another absentee. Meanwhile, teenage striker Romen Lukaku misses out as he is ineligible.

For the home side, their biggest concern is over the fitness of Germany international Andre Schurrle, who was ruled out of Saturday's 2-0 win at Bundesliga rivals Kaiserslautern through illness.

The winger has been named in Robin Dutt's squad after training on Monday and Tuesday, but may at best start from the bench. Meanwhile, Ballack is set to start his 100th European match and could play without wearing the protective facemask he has worn since breaking his nose last month

Predictions :

Take Chelsea to win and give the 1/4 ball here.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Bayer Leverkusen 0-1 Chelsea

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Chelsea to win.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Main Bet:
Take Chelsea -1/4 AH