Chelsea vs Pafos: Full Match Preview & Prediction

Sport | Football Chelsea vs Pafos: Prediction, kick-off time, team news, TV, live stream, h2h results, odds Liam Rosenior set for Champions League debut Chelsea vs Pafos London Standard Arthur Ferridge 1 hour ago COMMENTS Your matchday briefing on Chelsea, featuring team news and expert analysis from Dom Smith I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice. Chelsea continue their Champions League campaign tonight with the visit of Cypriot side Pafos to Stamford Bridge. After guiding the Blues in the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and then Premier League, it is time for new head coach Liam Rosenior’s Champions League bow in his fourth match in charge. Rosenior has fared well in the early days of his Chelsea tenure, winning two of his three matches in charge, including beating a plucky Brentford side on Saturday. Chelsea have dropped to 14th in the Champions League table following Tuesday’s results, but now look almost certain of a two-legged knock-out play-off. But a top-eight finish remains in their sight, and Rosenior will fancy his chances of a win tonight against one of the smallest clubs in the tournament. Pafos have done well to take six points from their first six outings in Europe, and they can take heart from a defeat of Villarreal in November and draws with Monaco and Olympiacos. Read More Transfer news LIVE! Arsenal in Chelsea hijack; Man Utd get Neves boost Chelsea XI vs Pafos: Predicted lineup and confirmed team news How to watch Chelsea vs Pafos: TV channel and live stream Sponsored Discover a hidden island paradise in the Indian Ocean Numbering among the Pafos squad is David Luiz, who was a member of Chelsea’s legendary Champions League-winning squad in 2011-12. Now 38, he returns to Stamford Bridge for the first time since January 2020, when he helped Arsenal to a 2-2 draw. He may be denied an on-pitch reunion through injury, though, with reports in Cypriot press suggesting he may face a late fitness test. Legend: David Luiz helped Chelsea to Champions League glory in 2012 and now plies his trade with Pafos AFP via Getty Images Date, kick-off time and venue Chelsea vs Pafos is scheduled for an 8pm GMT kick-off tonight, Wednesday, January 21, 2026. The match will take place at Stamford Bridge in west London. Where to watch Chelsea vs Pafos TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports 3, with coverage starting at 7pm ahead of an 8pm kick-off. Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website. Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea vs Pafos team news Rosenior has a few injury concerns weighing heavily on his mind ahead of this match, chief among them Cole Palmer. Chelsea’s talisman has been plagued with a persistent groin injury this season and played 90 minutes against Brentford on Saturday, but looked to be in some pain at the full-time whistle. It remains to be seen whether he will be involved in midweek. Elsewhere, Estevao and Jamie Gittens both missed the Brentford match through illness, and it is not yet clear whether they will be available to face Pafos. Injury worry: Cole Palmer Getty Images Malo Gusto is a doubt as he looks to shake off ‘pain’ felt ahead of the Brentford match. Tosin Adarabioyo may miss out with a hamstring problem. Levi Colwill and Romeo Lavia are still in recovery from long-term injuries. Returning to Stamford Bridge for the first time in six years, David Luiz may not touch the pitch. He is carrying an injury and is expected to undergo a late fitness test. The Pafos press officer Christoforos Mattheou said: “If he is not selected, it will be a big loss for us, but also for him. He would really like to play against his former team that made history, but let's not wait to see if he will be retained in the squad." Spanish defender David Goldar may also miss out, as will midfielder Joao Correia. Bittersweet: David Luiz may not be fit to play on return to Stamford Bridge AFP via Getty Images Chelsea vs Pafos prediction After opening his Chelsea tenure away to Charlton Athletic, Liam Rosenior has been handed another sympathetic fixture to open his Champions League account. Chelsea have blown hot and cold in the Champions League so far this season. They were swept away by Bayern, dispatched Barcelona, and drew to Qarabag. They are a harder side to predict than ever, but Rosenior will expect his squad’s class to elevate them above the Cypriot champions. Pafos have shown, however, that they are capable of slaying giants. They stunned Villarreal last year, and have battled to deserved draws with some credible sides. Chelsea will need to be on guard, then, but will fully expect to take three points. Chelsea to win, 3-0 Head to head (h2h) history and results This will be the first competitive meeting between Chelsea and Pafos. Chelsea vs Pafos match odds Pafos to win: 14/1 Draw: 11/2 Odds via Betfair (subject to change). MORE ABOUT