Are Chelsea the strong favourites going into the clash against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League Round of 16?

Following the Round of 16 draw, Chelsea will face Borussia Dortmund over two legs in the Champions League. The Blues will play the German team on February 15 in Germany at Signal Iduna Park for the opening leg of the exciting matchup.

Subsequently, the return game will take place at Stamford Bridge on March 7, two weeks after the first leg.

With victories over AC Milan at home and away, Chelsea won Group E with a game remaining after gaining one point from their first two games. Graham Potter, who previously led Ostersund in the Europa League knockout rounds, is managing a side in Europe’s elite club competition for the first time in his career.

The Chelsea manager will be in charge of his first game in the knockout rounds of this competition after guiding Chelsea to the Round of 16 earlier this season.

Chelsea vs Dortmund: First Time In UCL History

February 2023 will mark the first time in the competition’s history that Chelsea FC will face off against Bundesliga’s Borussia Dortmund. Taking on Dortmund will be a big assignment for Chelsea if the team maintains their present poor form and carries it into the match. Although not the best draw, it is far from the worst.

Chelsea would have had it tougher against Paris Saint Germain, who seems the toughest, than Club Brugge, who is likely the easiest opponent.

Since Chelsea will play the squad that includes Jude Bellingham following several links regarding the young player’s transfer to Chelsea, naturally there is a lot of backstory around this draw.

Additionally, Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s return to their former team will be a significant challenge for both players.

The Fixture Is Of Huge Importance

The fixture between Chelsea and Dortmund will carry a lot of importance, as both sides will have a lot to prove since it will be the first time they meet in history.

It will also bring a lot of excitement to football fans who will support their teams till the end. Indeed, many may also find it as a match that presents them with a number of betting opportunities due to how much quality will be involved.

Those who utilize one of the best soccer betting sites available at the moment will find that they are able to place bets on the encounter, as there are a number of odds to have already been released for the upcoming encounter, with various markets also available to consider.

With this in mind, the odds to have been made available see Chelsea coming out as strong favourites over the course of the contest, with the Blues being priced at -250, whereas BVB have been provided with odds of +160 to advance further in the UCL this season.

How do things look for Chelsea at the moment?

Looking to write history, Chelsea will seek wins over the two legs in a bid to reach the quarterfinals for the 3rd consecutive season, while Dortmund has not passed the round of 16 stages since the 2020/21 season.

Indeed, while Chelsea are currently in poor form at the moment, by the time it comes to playing Borussia Dortmund in February, it’s anticipated that they will be a different team.

Chelsea has lost their last 3 matches in all competitions, and have lost 3 consecutive matches in the Premier League, including an embarrassing 4-1 defeat against Brighton.

There is a lot of time for the club to get back to top level before the Champions League Round of 16 tie in February, as the World Cup break gives the players who are not going to the tournament time to train and get healthier.

Furthermore, considering the Round of 16 tie will take place after the January transfer window, Chelsea and Graham Potter would be looking to strengthen the squad in lacking areas, by signing appropriate players in those positions.

And with new owner Todd Boehly ready to provide money for transfers, it should not be a problem.

Final Thoughts

The fixture against Dortmund will particularly not be an easy one, with exciting players existing in the Dortmund squad. Following the transfer of World Class striker, Erling Haaland, Borussia Dortmund are still just as dangerous as they were the year before.

The young Youssoufa Moukoko has replaced the current Manchester City player. The German team lost only to Manchester City in their group, coming in second.

Jude Bellingham did exceptionally well in the group stage and was prepared for the following level. As a midfielder, he has already scored nine goals this season across all competitions.

While Chelsea has an incredible European pedigree, playing top teams from Spain, Italy, Germany, France, and other leagues, they have never faced Borussia Dortmund at any level.

However, Chelsea has experience against German opponents, as they have faced Bayern Munich numerous times before; including defeating them in the 2012 Champions League Final.