Rafael Benitez has failed to win any of his first three games as Chelsea interim manager – but anything other than victory against Nordsjaelland would be unthinkable.
Best match odds
The Spaniard was a highly unpopular choice to replace Roberto Di Matteo anyway and has done nothing to win over the fans with the results in his trio of matches since.
It looked like Benitez had at least tightened up the leaky Chelsea defence if nothing else when they drew 0-0 at home to Manchester City and Fulham, but that theory was blown out of the water when they conceded three second-half goals to West Ham on Saturday.
He may be getting used to it now but Benitez can expect more abuse from the stands during this final Champions League Group E game. However, at least he should preside over his first win, for all that it could be academic as far as qualification is concerned.
The European champions know their fate is out of their own hands. If Shakhtar Donetsk and Juventus play out a draw in the Ukraine, Chelsea will become the first ever Champions League holders to fall at the first hurdle in their title defence.
So disillusioned are the Stamford Bridge faithful with events at their club lately that their eyes are more likely to be glued to their phones for updates from Donetsk than trained on what’s happening in front of them.
Those who do give the team their full attention and support should be rewarded with some goals, for the Blues are unbackable favourites in the match market as their Danish opponents have been very much just making up the numbers in the group.
For Nordsjaelland this campaign has merely been about gaining experience at this level in the event of a return to the Champions League, which is possible next season as they currently sit second to Copenhagen in their domestic table.
Although they did superbly to hold Juventus to a 1-1 home draw, the Scandinavians were thrashed 4-0 by Chelsea in the reverse fixture admittedly at a time when the London club were firing on all cylinders.
It’s currently one win in 11 for Chelsea inside 90 minutes but this game should improve that depressing stat slightly, with Eden Hazard the player whose odds appeal most in the first goalscorer market.
Recommendation: Eden Hazard to score first (5/1, Paddy Power)
