Chelsea will be making a trip into the unknown when they head to Slovakia on Wednesday to face MSK Zilina in their opening Champions League Group F clash.

Zilina are the lowest-ranked team left in the competition and with their Stadium Pod Dubnom holding just 12,000, the west London aristocrats can expect a real cup-tie atmosphere.

The hosts won the league and cup double last season and made it through three qualifying rounds to reach the lucrative group stages for the first time in their history, including a famous win over Czech neighbours Sparta Prague.

They are currently on course to retain their Superliga title, sitting on top of the current standings with 16 points from eight matches - their most recent being a 2-1 home win over Presov on Saturday.

Skipper and Slovakia international midfielder Robert Jez is their major influence, but 21-year-old Gambia international striker Momodou Ceesay - a loan signing from Belgian side Westerlo - is fast becoming a cult hero, especially after scoring twice against Sparta Prague.

Zilina manager Pavel Hapal is relishing the opportunity to lock horns with the Premier League champions.

"It's a great challenge for me and I'm really looking forward to it," he told the Uefa website.

"On the other hand, we won't sell ourselves short," he said. "We want to show our supporters quality football and we'd like to get some points from our meeting with Chelsea.

"We respect our opponents; they're a really big club. Chelsea are obviously superior to us, but football is about 11 players playing against 11 players and we want to walk off with our heads high after the match."

Zilina are a best-priced 13.00 with bet365 t to pull off what would surely be one of the biggest upsets in Champions League history.

Chelsea, unsurprisingly, are heavy favourites at a widely available 1.30 but we think there is some mileage in having a look at the draw.

Although John Terry should be fit despite picking up a rib injury at West Ham on Saturday, Frank Lampard (hernia), Ashley Cole (rested) and Didier Drogba (suspended) are out.

Chelsea also have a habit of making life hard for themselves in the group stages and with the draw a widely available 5.50, we think it's worth a punt with Carlo Ancelotti's side to make a sluggish start to their campaign.

Arsenal will be wary that they don't become a third high-profile scalp for Portuguese side Braga when the sides meet at the Emirates Stadium in Group H.

Braga sealed a place the group stages for the first time by beating Celtic and Seville in the qualifying stages and could be one of the dark horses.

They beat Celtic 3-0 at home before losing the return 2-1 at Parkhead, and then beat Seville 1-0 at home and 4-3 away.

Braga finished second in the league last season, showing they could compete with the established trio of Benfica, Sporting Lisbon and Porto, and with Shakhtar Donetsk and Partizan Belgrade also in the group, the Gunners are not going to have it all their own way.

"For us, a win on Wednesday night is vital, because I believe the group is much more difficult than people expect it to be," said Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.

"Braga finished in front of Porto last year - we played against Porto and know they are a good side. Also, they have just kicked Sevilla out in the play-offs.

"Shakhtar Donetsk are one of the best European sides, that is why I believe it is very important we start well at home."

But goals could be a problem with Nicklas Bendtner, Theo Walcott and Robin van Persie all set to miss out and although Arsenal beat Bolton 4-1 at the weekend, they are not likely to find Braga as generous.

The Gunners are a best-priced at 1.28 with Bet365 to make home advantage count which is of little interest, while Braga are 11.00 with Bwin and Bet365.

The draw is a widely available 5.50, but instead we advise a draw/Arsenal half-time/full-time forecast at a widely available 3.65 with Wenger's side to edge a tight contest.

PICKS:
Chelsea to draw against Zilina at 5.50 (Bet365).
Draw/Arsenal half-time-/full-time against Braga at 3.65 (Betsson).