Chelsea vs Pafos: Prediction, kick-off time, team news, TV, live stream, h2h results, odds

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Evening Standard

·21 de enero de 2026

Chelsea vs Pafos: Prediction, kick-off time, team news, TV, live stream, h2h results, odds

Liam Rosenior set for Champions League debut

Chelsea continue their Champions League campaign tonight with the visit of Cypriot side Pafos to Stamford Bridge.

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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.

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