Having virtually clinched the domestic title after just 19 rounds, FC Copenhagen will be hoping to continue their impressive Champions League campaign with a good result against Chelsea. The Blues are seen as major favourites in this clash, but with the way they have been playing recently, I’m not sure they will have the upper hand in this tie.

FC Copenhagen on the rise

Despite being founded just 19 years ago, FC Copenhagen have quickly become one of the top sides in Denmark, with their latest results thoroughly impressive. Their last season’s exploits in Europa League hinted the team were determined to make their presence known in Europe, but few people could have predicted such a remarkable performances that we witnessed this season. Besides their relentless form in Danish Superliga that brought them 19-point cushion at the top with just 14 games to go, FC Copenhagen proved their quality by qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages from a very difficult group. After beating Rubin Kazan and Panathinaikos at home and sharing spoils with Barcelona, Stale Solbakken’s side definitely have reason for optimism before the Chelsea game. The only problem is that the players can be a bit rusted as they are still on the winter break, although the 5:0 friendly win over Rosenborg would beg to differ.

Apart from defender Solvi Ottessen, Stale Solbakken will have full squad to choose from, with Cesar Santin and Dame N’Doye set to start up front.

Chelsea out of the FA Cup

This season is only going from bad to worse for Chelsea with the FA Cup elimination at the hand of Everton hardly creating the best introduction into the Champions League clash with FC Kopenhagen. That was the third successive match in which the Blues failed to win following the home defeat to Liverpool and a narrow escape at Craven Cottage, so Carlo Ancelotti has every reason to feel worried before this clash. The team largely struggle in their build-up play, as witnessed by just one scored goal in last three games, with Frank Lampard showing signs that he might as well be past his best. With all other midfielders in the side predominantly defence-minded, it is little wonder that Drogba, Torres and Anelka are not receiving quality service, so they are hardly to blame for the poor scoring record. With the players completely low on confidence at the moment, Chelsea are likely to experience problems against high-flying FC Copenhagen.

Fernando Torres returns to the side, but David Luiz is cup-tied. Yuri Zhirkov returned into action after the lengthy spell on the sidelines, but Alex and Benayoun are out injured.

Verdict

FC Copenhagen have been in remarkable form this season and not even Barcelona could beat them at their Parken Stadium. Chelsea, on the other hand, largely struggle at the moment with most of the players completely out of form, and I don’t think they can win in Denmark.

Our prediction: FC Copenhagen to win with +0.5 Asian handicap

Odds: 2.17 (6/5)

Bookmaker: 188BET