Chelsea’s dream and nightmare Champions League draw scenarios for group stage

In pictures: Leeds v Chelsea

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Chelsea will find out who they’ll face in this season’s Champions League when the draw for the group stages takes place on Thursday afternoon. The Blues qualified for this season’s competition after finishing third in the Premier League last term – and Express Sport takes a look at their dream and nightmare scenarios.

Dream Scenario – Porto, RB Salzburg, Viktoria Plzen

Chelsea are in Pot 2 of the draw and will face one team from each of the other three pots. And their dream scenario could see them face Porto, RB Salzburg and Viktoria Plzen. Porto booked their place in the Champions League after winning the Portuguese league last time around.

But Chelsea knocked them out of the competition at the quarter-final stage two seasons ago before going on to lift the trophy. So manager Thomas Tuchel would be confident of getting the better of them at home and away.

RB Salzburg, meanwhile, are in the Champions League once again after winning the Austrian league at a canter last season. Erling Haaland’s former employers reached the last 16 in Europe last season but were dumped out by Bayern Munich after losing the second leg 7-1 in Germany.

Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd £8.5m bid, Chelsea eye four, Tottenham want Traore

Elsewhere, Czech side Viktoria Plzen have never gone beyond the group stages of the Champions League during their three appearances in the competition. The last time they qualified four years ago, they narrowly missed out on a place in the knockout rounds after finishing two points behind group runners-up Roma. But Chelsea should have far too much for Plzen if the pair ended up drawn together.

Nightmare Scenario – Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Celtic

The Blues could be handed a nightmare scenario that could see them scrambling just to qualify for the last 16. Real Madrid, who defeated Liverpool in last season’s final, would be a frightening prospect for Tuchel after the Spanish giants knocked the Blues out on their way to the title last season.

DON’T MISS
Man Utd are confident about giving Casemiro the perfect signing after arrival
Man United may have new Gabriel Heinze who Ten Hag can build around
Arsenal can seal Neto and Tielemans double transfer if they sell four players

Borussia Dortmund, meanwhile, will by vying to reach the latter stages of the competition and will want to prove they are still a force to be reckoned with after losing Haaland to Manchester City this season. They would certainly be a dangerous opponent.

And clashes against Celtic would prove demanding as well. The Scottish champions would be on their mettle if they were to face off against the west Londoners, with the winner of the clash at Celtic Park anyone’s guess. So Tuchel will be hoping the nightmare group doesn’t become a reality when the draw gets underway at 5pm (BST) in Istanbul.

Want the latest Premier League news as we publish it on Express Sport? Join our new Facebook group by clicking here

Source: Read Full Article