Chelsea may not secure automatic qualification to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 and could be forced into the playoff stage, despite sitting on 13 points in the league table.
Softfootball has gathered that Chelsea’s position is far from secure, as several teams directly below them are also on 13 points. Barcelona, Sporting CP, Manchester City, Atlético Madrid and Atalanta all share the same points tally, making the final group-stage matches decisive.
While Chelsea’s points total looks strong on paper, the fixtures tell a different story. The Blues travel to Italy to face Napoli, who are currently 25th in the Champions League table. Napoli desperately need a win to secure a playoff spot, meaning they will approach the match with maximum urgency and intensity.
Chelsea, on the other hand, face the challenge of playing away from home against a motivated opponent fighting for survival in the competition. This scenario significantly reduces their margin for error.
With rival teams potentially picking up points in their own matches, Chelsea risk being overtaken on goal difference or head-to-head records. Should that happen, the Blues would miss out on direct qualification and be pushed into the playoff round.
As the group stage reaches its conclusion, Chelsea’s fate now hinges on their ability to deliver a strong result in Naples against a Napoli side with everything to play for.
