Chelsea vs Genk: Match Preview, Team News & Predicted Line-ups

Its back to the Champions league action for Chelsea as they prepare to host Belgian club KRC Genk at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea who played out a 1-1 draw at Estada Mestalla against Valencia  in their last Group E match sit at the top of the table with four points from two games.

On the other hand, Genk suffered a 2-0 loss to German side Bayer Leverkusen away from home. Genk currently have just one point from two games and are placed at the bottom of Group E, earning their solitary point from the 0-0 draw against Valencia at home. This is the first time Genk will be playing against a English side in England.

This is the first time both clubs will be facing each other, having no past encounters in any form of league football. Although Andre Villas Boas does know about our opponents having faced them in the Europa league last year when he was the manager at the Portuguese league champions FC Porto. The encounter ending with a 7-2 aggregate win for Porto.

Another connection which Chelsea or AVB shares with Genk is the signing of Thibaut Courtois who was signed by AVB from Genk and later loaned out to Atlético de Madrid.

Chelsea hold the upper hand going into this game but KRC Genk will also be eager to prove their point as to why they deserve a place in the Champions league.

What does their domestic league form say ahead of this Champions League fixture??

Both teams are are having contrasting domestic league form, with Chelsea picking up form and points in their recent run of games whereas Genk have slowly lost the form and have been dropping points as games go by.

Chelsea came off with an impressive win over a stubborn Everton side at home. The 3-1 win brought us close to the Manchester leaders with a point behind 2nd place Man U and three points behind leaders Man City.

Genk on the other hand have faltered in their recent games losing to Anderlecht and Lokeren, and now have just two wins from their last five games. This poor run of form sees them 7 points behind league leaders Anderlecht.

Given that the game is at Stamford Bridge Chelsea are expected to win this game. But no game is easy in UEFA Champions league as even Genk will be hungry to get some points on-board.

Chelsea Team News

Chelsea will welcome back Fernando Torres to the starting line-up after having to sit out of the domestic fixtures following his red card incident. And AVB will surely have some selection dilemma as far as the strike force is concerned. Daniel Sturridge has been in rich vein of form and Didier Drogba is making his comeback.

With games coming thick and fast AVB will surely make some changes to the line-up ahead of this game at Stamford Bridge. Likes of David Luiz, Raul Meireles, Malouda, Anelka & co. could feature for Chelsea. Ramires who was substituted in the last game against Everton after suffering knee injury will miss out on this game. Hilario and Michael Essien remain out injured.

Genk Team News

Genk will be without Nadson, Jelle Vossen and Jeroen Simaeys all due to injuries. Genk are likely to retain their 4-4-2 formation with the Anele Ngcongca starting at the centre of defence alongside Abel Masuero. Anthony Vanden Borre will occupy the right back position with Daniel Pudil on the other side. The midfield is likely to have Khaleem Hyland and Daniel Tozser at the centre, with Kevin De Bruyne and Thomas Buffel on the left and right wings respectively. Striker Elyaniv Barda could also play some part in the match alongside Marvin Ogunjimi.

Probable Team Line-ups for Chelsea vs Genk:

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Luiz, Terry, Cole, Lampard, Malouda, Mata, Meireles, Torres, Anelka

Genk: Köteles, Ngcongca, Masuero, Pudil, Vanden Borre, Hyland , Tőzsér, De Bruyne, Buffel, Ogunjimi, Barda

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