Chelsea might not safe automated qualification to the UEFA Champions League spherical of 16 and may very well be compelled into the playoff stage, regardless of sitting on 13 factors within the league desk.
Softfootball has gathered that Chelsea’s place is much from safe, as a number of groups straight under them are additionally on 13 factors. Barcelona, Sporting CP, Manchester Metropolis, Atlético Madrid and Atalanta all share the identical factors tally, making the ultimate group-stage matches decisive.
Whereas Chelsea’s factors whole seems to be robust on paper, the fixtures inform a distinct story. The Blues journey to Italy to face Napoli, who’re presently twenty fifth within the Champions League desk. Napoli desperately want a win to safe a playoff spot, that means they’ll method the match with most urgency and depth.
Chelsea, however, face the problem of enjoying away from residence towards a motivated opponent preventing for survival within the competitors. This situation considerably reduces their margin for error.
With rival groups probably choosing up factors in their very own matches, Chelsea threat being overtaken on aim distinction or head-to-head data. Ought to that occur, the Blues would miss out on direct qualification and be pushed into the playoff spherical.
Because the group stage reaches its conclusion, Chelsea’s destiny now hinges on their means to ship a robust end in Naples towards a Napoli aspect with all the things to play for.
