Chelsea’s Premier League form shows they are doing something that will be crucial to a strong Champions League campaign, and it surely makes them favourites against Barcelona.
We’re halfway through the league phase, and Chelsea are 12th in the standings, taking seven points from a possible 12. Not the ideal start, but nothing to be too discouraged by either.
Enzo Maresca will have been disappointed with dropped points at Qarabag in midweek, but what his side then did against Wolves might have eased his mind somewhat.
The Blues will host Barcelona after the international break, and their recent record at home bodes well for not just this tie, but the Champions League campaign as a whole.
Starting to think English teams have done that to the Champions League table on purpose 🤔🧠
🏴 Each participant from England sits within the top 1/3 of the table with half of the games now played 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/EQBGZszBD3
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) November 6, 2025
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Chelsea are on fire under the lights at Stamford Bridge
Malo Gusto’s first Chelsea goal helped them ease past Wolves on Saturday night. It was a game they were expected to win, not only because of the problems at Molineux as of late, but also due to Chelsea’s fantastic ongoing record.
The Blues have won each of their last ten late Premier League kick-offs at Stamford Bridge.
It’s an outstanding feat and one which bodes extremely well for nights in Europe.
Cole Palmer should be back for Barcelona, which will further improve the odds for the home side.
Both teams have had an identical start to the league phase, so the stakes will be high. The Spanish side no doubt command respect but they should be just as cautious of Maresca’s men, who give nothing away when at home under the lights.
Chelsea set up for a strong Champions League campaign
Champions League trophy at Stamford Bridge
Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images
That Stamford Bridge has become a late-night fortress is just one reason why Chelsea fans should be optimistic about their return to Europe’s elite competition.
It might seem contradictory given their place in the standings, but Chelsea’s owners are happy with the Champions League rotation they are seeing, and are more worried about March and April.
Make no mistake, they will be one of the tougher sides to come up against in the knockout stages. We saw last season’s winners, PSG, scrape by in the league phase to qualify by a margin of two points, and then dominate the rest of the way.
Chelsea’s Club World Cup triumph showed Maresca as quite capable in big matches, outclassing the aforementioned French side in the final. That 3-0 hammering will have put all European giants on notice.
The world champions have proven they can beat any team on their day which, paired with such an impressive record at the Bridge, should have Chelsea as a dark horse to hoist the ‘Big Ears’ come May.