GRAHAM POTTER starts the new Chelsea era on Wednesday with a tricky Champions League clash against in-form Austrians Red Bull Salzburg.
The former Brighton boss was introduced to the media this week amid the usual assurances it will be a long-term marriage, but Chelsea's recent history suggests Potter will be doing well to complete the season.
He inherits a side that were undoubtedly underachieving under Thomas Tuchel this season, but when you get the sack after winning the Champions League with the club, then it was surely harsh in the extreme.
Chelsea probably welcomed their weekend break after a turbulent start to the season that saw them lose away at Southampton and Leeds United.
Most worryingly of all was their 1-0 defeat last week at Dinamo Zagreb and with club chiefs clearly concerned about qualification, they decided to act.
But they could have picked far easier welcomes than a game against Matthias Jaissle's dangerous Austrian Bundesliga champions, who are already tearing up their league.
They have won seven out of eight league games and since their defeat to Sturm Graz on the second game of the season, they have rattled in 17 goals and conceded once.
They also held AC Milan to a draw last week at home and had more shots on and off target.
How the bookies view it
Chelsea are massive favourites and are hovering around the 1/3 mark although there is a touch of 3/8 with SBK.
Red Bull Salzburg can be backed at 15/2 with William Hill. The draw is 9/2 with bet365.
Recent head to heads
The clubs have never met in a competitive game.
Players to watch
It will be interesting to see how Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reacts to his new manager after being Tuchel's last throw of the dice. He did score 68 goals for Arsenal and will want to open his Chelsea account here. He is 11/10 to do just that with bet365.
Swiss international striker Noah Okafor has scored in each of his last five games for Salzburg including against Milan last week. He is a tempting 4/1 with Paddy Power to score in London.
Anything else catch the eye?
Perhaps it will all just click for Potter and Chelsea – they may get a new manager bounce and should win, but they look far too short with Red Bull Salzburg being afforded very little respect from the bookies.
The Austrians have plenty of experience at this stage, although they do most of their best work at home. They have plenty of goal threats and if they are going to go down, they can do so fighting which makes the 7/4 for a home win and both teams to score with bet365 tempting, especially with Chelsea's suspect defence, who have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six games.
It's hard to see Chelsea running away with it either and the two goal start on the handicaps with Boylesports at 5/6 looks very solid.
This UEFA Champions League match between Chelsea and Red Bull Salzburg will be played on Sep 14, 2022 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Chelsea vs Red Bull Salzburg prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
