Chelsea need a win against Napoli to have any chance of securing automatic qualification for the Champions League round of 16.
Liam Rosenior’s side are currently in the top eight, but that could change even if they manage to earn all three points.
How do you stop a centre-forward like Romelu Lukaku? 🛑
He should be fit for Napoli vs Chelsea
Romelu Lukaku's record against Chelsea
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Anything less and the Blues will have to compete in a play-off tie in order to reach the next round. Opta’s supercomputer has already predicted Chelsea to fall short.
Understandably, Rosenior has gone with a very strong team at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
The Chelsea players pose for a team photograph
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Confirmed Chelsea XI vs Napoli
Cole Palmer was absent for Chelsea’s victory over Crystal Palace last weekend, but the attacking midfielder is fit again and has made the bench. It is a big decision that Rosenior has been forced to make, leaving his star attacker out of the first XI. You can have a look at the rest of the team below!
Napoli haven’t lost at home since 2024! How should Chelsea approach this match?
Chelsea line-up vs Napoli
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Napoli are Serie A champions and have a world-class manager in Antonio Conte at the helm. However, Conte’s Chelsea counterpart does not seem fazed at all.
After the 1-0 win against Pafos last week, Rosenior had a warning for Conte, making it clear that the task at hand does not daunt him.
Rosenior has made a solid start to life at Stamford Bridge, winning four out of five games so far. The former Strasbourg boss will now be hoping for another one as his side look to avoid a two-legged play-off.
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