A delectable Champions League encounter awaits on Wednesday evening as holders Chelsea welcome Serie A champions Juventus to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea start as 6/5 favourites to win the match with Boylesports (get a free £20 bet here), Juventus can be backed at 14/5 with Stan James (bet £10, get a free £10 bet), whilst the draw is available at 23/10 with Sky Bet (no deposit free £10 bet here).

Chelsea boast a formidable home record in the Champions League having lost just two of their last 21 matches in this competition at The Bridge.  Those defeats came at the hands of Manchester United last season, and Italian heavyweights, Inter, back in 2010.  Despite this record they will need to be at their very best to get all three points against a classy and talented Juventus side.  Roberto Di Matteo has a full squad to choose from, and Juan Mata is set to return to the side having been rested at the weekend.  The focal point of Chelsea’s game is likely to be Eden Hazard, who has made an impressive start to life in the Premier League with one goal and four assists in four league appearances.

Juventus travel to London having not tasted defeat on the road in over a year, with much of their success built on a resolute defence that has kept 10 clean sheets in their last 16 away matches in all competitions.  An imposing midfield built around superstar playmaker Andrea Pirlo can rival some of the best in European football and only underlines the task facing Chelsea.  In attack, Mirko Vucinic will be fresh from a weekend rest and provides a potent goal threat for the Italian side.

Whilst Chelsea’s home advantage makes them marginal favourites, they face a formidable side who are serious Champions League contenders.  14/5 for Juventus to win looks too big a price to resist and I suggest a lumpy wager on the Italians.  You could also do worse than have a few quid on Andrea Pirlo to score anytime, who rates as a decent bet in this market at 9/2 with Bet365 (get a free £200 bet here).  However, Christmas has come early if you are a Sportingbet customer, as they offer an astonishing 8/1 for Pirlo to get his name on the scoresheet.  Finally I can’t resist a correct score punt and 2-1 Juventus with Ladbrokes completes the betting plan.

Chelsea vs Juventus Betting Tips

Juventus to win – 14/5 with Stan James

Pirlo to score anytime – 8/1 with Sportingbet (sign up using this link and get a RISK FREE bet)

2-1 Juventus correct score – 12/1 with Ladbrokes