Qarabag vs. Chelsea: Predictions for a win at the end of a long journey

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 18: Eden Hazard (1st L) of Chelsea celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal with his team mates during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea at The Hawthorns on November 18, 2017 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 18: Eden Hazard (1st L) of Chelsea celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal with his team mates during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea at The Hawthorns on November 18, 2017 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Chelsea make the longest journey in the club’s Champions League history to face Qarabag. Will they make it worth the travel by securing three points and a place in the knockout rounds?

Chelsea won the first-ever meeting with Qarabag 6-0 in this season’s Champions League opener. Qarabag recovered from their dreadful debut by denying Roma and Atletico Madrid a similar triumph. Atletico particularly suffered against the Horsemen, and now the Blues must corral the home side’s momentum and book their ticket in the knockout rounds.

Kevin Peacock: Qarabag 0 – 3 Chelsea. Antonio Conte shows Qarabag every respect by starting with a strong XI. David Luiz starts and scores along with Alvaro Morata, who scored two first half goals to see Chelsea lead 3-0 at half-time. They shut up shop in the second half and swap personnel ahead of the weekend trip to Liverpool.

Scott Brant: 0 – 2. Teams in the group this year have struggled with the travel away to Qarabag. Chelsea are favorites by a goal and a half. Morata will keep his hot form with another headed goal. Luiz will be looking to stand out in some shape or fashion in his probable return. A win with no injuries and then get ready for Liverpool on Saturday.

Travis Tyler: 0 – 1. Qarabag have put up fights at home and that is not going to stop. But Conte’s changes will prove fruitful once more as a substitute scores into added time.

Shivansh Sareen: 0 – 1. David Luiz with a deflected free kick halfway through the second half.

Vishnu Raj: 0 – 2. A solid match. With the Liverpool fixture in mind, Antonio Conte will be careful not to take too many risks, especially with some key injuries. Even though Qarabag held Atletico to a stalemate in both their fixtures, Chelsea will prove too good for them. David Luiz and Danny Drinkwater will get a very good 90 minutes under their belt.

Abhishek Pancholi: 0 – 4. Conte gives the likes of Dujon Sterling and Ethan Ampadu an opportunity to play in the Champions League and they don’t disappoint. Chelsea start in a 3-4-3 with both Pedro and Willian on the flanks. Despite a raft of changes, they prove too strong for Qarabag and win it with ease.

Next: David Luiz needs the start against Qarabag to keep his Chelsea prospects alive

What do you think? Will Chelsea do what Roma and Atletico could not and run over the Horsemen, or will this be a drag-out battle to the finish? Let us know below or on Twitter!