Chelsea are no strangers to European nights. But this one feels bigger. The 2025–26 Champions League has gone full league phase: 8 games, 8 different opponents, no easy nights, no breaks to catch your breath. For Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea, and for MSport as the club’s Regional Partner, every game feels like a mini-final. 

36 clubs, €2 billion in prize money, and a schedule that throws Bayern one week and Qarabağ the next. It’s like FIFA Career Mode if you set it to “Legendary” 

Enzo Maresca put it best: 
“When you are at Chelsea, the target has to be always to win games and titles. This is the minimum required. So we’re going to try.” 

1️⃣ Bayern Munich vs Chelsea — Allianz Arena 🇩🇪 

Chelsea’s opener is no warm-up; it’s a heavyweight clash in Munich. Both sides play the 4-2-3-1, both love the ball, and both are loaded with attackers who punish mistakes. Bayern already looks ruthless this season, scoring nine goals in two Bundesliga matches. Chelsea aren’t far behind, averaging 2.3 goals per game.

For Maresca, it’s about keeping Kane quiet and making sure Nicolas Jackson — the ex-Blue with a point to prove — doesn’t get the last laugh. This game screams goals

💰Prediction: Over 2.5 goals at 1.56 odds on MSport.

2️⃣ Chelsea vs Benfica — Stamford Bridge 

A reunion with an old Champions League friend. Benfica are back to their compact 4-4-2 under Bruno Lage, and it’s working: unbeaten in all competitions this season. They’ll try to frustrate, stay tight, and spring on the counter. 

It may not be vintage flair, but Chelsea have the tools to grind this one out. 

💰Prediction: Chelsea win at 1.86 odds on MSport. 

3️⃣ Chelsea vs Barcelona — Stamford Bridge 

This is the one fans circled the moment the fixtures dropped. Chelsea against Barcelona never comes quiet. Barça’s high line has been daring teams to break it, and their fans are already taunting Chelsea online: “If Madrid couldn’t, what makes you think you can?” 

Barcelona have scored seven in their first three league matches, while Chelsea’s Palmer-Yamal subplot is pure box office. Can Chelsea’s press disrupt Barcelona’s rhythm, or will the Catalans’ magic carve them open again? Either way, this feels like fireworks. 

💰Prediction: Both Teams to Score at 1.66 odds on MSport. 

4️⃣ Napoli vs Chelsea — Stadio Diego Armando Maradona 

Conte versus Maresca. Pragmatism versus possession. Napoli have yet to concede in the league this season, which says everything about how drilled they already are. Chelsea will try to move them around, but this feels more like a chess match than a shootout. 

Look out for Palmer facing his idol, Kevin De Bruyne in midfield battles, and Caicedo squaring up against Scott McTominay in the trenches. A war of attrition in Naples, and probably not one for goal hunters. 

💰Prediction: Under 3.5 goals at 1.26 odds on MSport.

5️⃣ Atalanta vs Chelsea — Gewiss Stadium 

A trip to Bergamo is never easy. Atalanta may have lost Gasperini, but his fingerprints are still all over this team: pressing, running, and fighting for every ball. They remain one of the fittest sides in Europe, and they’ll test Chelsea physically in every duel. 

💰Prediction: Chelsea win at 2.06 odds on MSport. 

6️⃣ Chelsea vs Ajax — Stamford Bridge 

The name Ajax still carries weight, but the shine has dimmed. Under John Heitinga, they’re rebuilding, and selling Brian Brobbey to Sunderland hasn’t helped. The fearless Ajax that lit up Europe in 2019 feels like a memory, though the Johan Cruyff Arena can still buzz when the lights hit. 

💰Prediction: Chelsea win at 1.50 odds on MSport.

7️⃣ Qarabag vs Chelsea — Tofiq Bahramov Stadium 

This game might not be about goals; it might be about corners. Qarabag averages 7.5 corners per match, Chelsea sits at 7.3. With wingers like Estevao and Garnacho flying at their full-backs, set-pieces could decide it. 

💰Prediction: Over 9.5 corners at 1.49 odds on MSport. 

8️⃣ Chelsea vs Pafos — Stamford Bridge 

David Luiz will be back at Stamford Bridge. Expect Maresca to rotate here, but the Blues should still have too much talent for a team punching above its weight. Emotions aside, Chelsea should control possession and territory from the first whistle. 

💰Prediction: Chelsea win at 1.23 odds on MSport. 

The new Champions League is tough. No easy games. Bayern’s fire, Barcelona’s Magic, Napoli’s fight, and long trips away from home, Chelsea have to face them all. 

The badge says "The Pride of London". This season, Chelsea must show they truly belong with Europe’s best. 

“I didn’t have any doubt about the players,” said Enzo Maresca. 
“People said we were too young, not good enough, not ready. They were wrong.”