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Andre Villas-Boas dropped Fernando Torres for Chelsea's victory over Sunderland at the weekend, and the Spaniard looks set to start on the sidelines again. Nicolas Anelka and Daniel Sturridge ought to keep their places in attack.

Michael Ballack is a contender to make the Bayer Leverkusen line-up for this trip to face his former club.

Match Odds

Chelsea's unconvincing start to the Premier League season (in terms of performances if not results) will dissuade many bettors from backing them at odds of 1.43, but before opposing the hosts it's worth bearing in mind their remarkable Champions League home record: they are unbeaten in eight years in the group stages, producing stats of W17-D6-L0 at Stamford Bridge during that time. The draw at 4.7 would therefore be a more tempting proposition than Leverkusen at 10.0.

If you feel the visitors will make the life difficult for Chelsea, the Asian handicap would be an alternative market (see below).

Over / Under 2.5 goals

Chelsea's propensity for conceding goals in the opening weeks of the league season - after a 0-0 draw against Stoke City they've failed to keep a clean sheet against West Brom (2-1), Norwich (3-1) and Sunderland (2-1) - suggests over 2.5 goals is the smart selection at 1.88.

Yet Leverkusen have defended really well in the opening weeks of their league campaign and, historically, Chelsea's Champions League group home games tend to be low-scoring: 15 out of 24 (63%) fixtures in the past eight seasons have featured two goals or fewer. I'd back unders at 2.06.

Asian handicap.

If, like me, you think Leverkusen will make this a hard game for a Chelsea side clearly not firing on all cylinders yet but are concerned about the hosts' imperious home form, the Asian handicap is the way to play. By backing the visitors with a +1.0&+1.5 start at around 1.95, you'll make money as long as Leverkusen avoid defeat by two goals or more.

Best Bet: Leverkusen +1.0&+1.5 Asian handicap @ 1.95.
Other Recommended Bet: Chelsea v Leverkusen under 2.5 goals @ 2.08.

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