The match of matchday 7 of the main stage of the Champions League 2025/26 between Chelsea and Pafos will take place 21 january at Stamford Bridge in London. Chelsea vs Pafos: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Chelsea
Chelsea suffered their second defeat in the current main stage in the last round. Playing away, the club lost 1:2 to Atalanta. As a result, a run of four matches without defeat in this competition (three wins and one draw) came to an end. It is also worth noting that the home side conceded in six of their previous eight Champions League matches. At the same time they scored in their previous 21 matches on the European stage. Under Enzo Maresca the home side are positioned 13th and, if they win this encounter, will secure qualification for the play-offs. There is a chance to break into the top eight, from which the club are two points behind.
- In their last 14 Champions League matches Chelsea drew only once (8 wins and 5 losses).
- At least three goals were scored in 5 of the club's last 6 matches in this competition.
- The home side won 6 of their previous 7 home matches in this European cup.
Potential Chelsea Lineup (4-5-1)
Robert Sanchez – Marc Cucurella, Trevoh Chalobah, Malo Gusto, Tosin Adarabioyo – Andrey Santos, Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo, Pedro Neto – Liam Delap.
Defender Levi Colwill and midfielder Romeo Lavia will miss the game due to injuries.
Pafos
Pafos also played their previous match away and also suffered their second defeat in the main stage. The club visited Juventus and lost 0:2. Before that the visitors had gone three Champions League matches without defeat (one win and two draws). The visitors occupy 26th place in the standings and are just one point above the qualifying zone. The team will reduce their chances of finishing in the top 24 to a minimum if they lose this match. It is also worth adding that the visitors average 2.2 goals per match, and such a low scoring rate is seen in only two other opponents.
- In their last 12 matches in this European cup the visitors suffered only 2 defeats (5 wins and 5 draws).
- No more than two goals were scored in 9 of Pafos' last 12 Champions League matches.
- The visitors failed to score more than one goal in 6 of their previous 7 matches in this competition.
Potential Pafos Lineup (3-4-3)
Neophytos Michael – Derrick Luckassen, David Luiz, Bruno Langa – Joao Correia, Ivan Sunjic, Pepe, Vlad Dragomir – Jaja, Mislav Orsic, Anderson.
Defender Pedrao is out due to injury.
Referee
Eric Lambrechts (Belgium)
Matches – 6 (International matches, 2025/26);
Yellow/Red Cards Shown (Including Second Yellows) – 16;
Average Yellow/Red Cards Per Match – 2.7;
Red Cards Shown – 1;
Fouls Average Per Match – 21;
Penalties – 33%.
Chelsea vs Pafos: Match Prediction
The visitors desperately need points and must win at least one of their remaining two matches in the main stage. Winning in England will be incredibly difficult, especially since the opponent is much stronger and more experienced, and is also very good at their stadium not only in the Premier League but on the continental stage as well. Chelsea have won 6 of their previous 7 Champions League home matches at Stamford Bridge and have suffered only 2 defeats in their last 62 European cup matches at the group/main stage.
We will not risk taking a clear win for the home side, since the visitors know how to play solidly in defence and may keep a clean sheet in the upcoming meeting. In this main stage Pafos conceded away only to Juventus in three away matches. At the same time the club's attack is weak and failed to register a single productive shot in all away matches of the Champions League main stage.
Chelsea not only rarely lose at home in this competition, but also concede few goals. In their last 14 home Champions League matches the home side kept a clean sheet 9 times. Therefore, taking all of the above into account, we will prefer the prediction — Pafos Under 0.5 goals.
Prediction: Pafos Under 0.5 goals
