The Case for Chelsea: The Blues have been a different beast at home in Europe, conceding just 0.33 goals per game at Stamford Bridge. Their attacking output is elite, with 13 goals in the league phase so far. Players like João Pedro and Enzo Fernández provide a level of technical quality that few teams outside the elite can cope with. With the motivation to secure a top-eight spot, they will look to suffocate Pafos with possession and create chances at will.

The Case for Pafos FC: Pafos may be underdogs, but they are built to frustrate. They dominate aerial duels (11.0 per game) and are accustomed to weathering storms. Chelsea’s defense isn’t impenetrable—keeping clean sheets in only 30% of UCL games—and if Pafos can stay compact and utilize set-pieces through threats like David Luiz, they have a route to upset the rhythm. The pressure is entirely on the hosts to break them down.

The Verdict: It’s a battle of attack vs defense. Can Chelsea’s expensively assembled frontline break down a stubborn block and convert their dominance into a comfortable scoreline, or will Pafos turn this into a frustrating night in London with their physical resilience?