Leon Osman
Former Everton and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

At the start of last season, I would say Chelsea are young and they lack some experience. They have matured quite quickly from the run of fixtures they've had and the results they have got. This season has shown how far they have come.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea

Including seven tonight, Chelsea have now made 85 changes to their starting XIs in all competitions this season - the most of any Premier League side - making seven-plus for each of their last five games in a row (45 total).

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport Chelsea reporter in Baku

Having been mocked on their debut in the Champions League group stage eight years ago, Qarabag have proved a surprise package in this season's competition.

They lost 6-0 at Chelsea and 4-0 at home in that difficult 2017-18 campaign, claiming just two points from a group featuring Atletico Madrid and Roma, and earning the derisory nickname "carrier bag".

Qarabag have since found their feet in Europe and, having matched Chelsea's six points from a possible nine in the first three league phase matches, they will have to be taken more seriously in Baku.

At the other end of the table there are a few sides heading into game four still looking to earn their first points of the campaign, namely Jose Mourinho's Benfica, and Ajax.

A reminder that sides placed 25th and below in the standings come the end of the league phase will be eliminated.

Image source, BBC Sport

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport Chelsea reporter in Baku

Chelsea have a lot of supporters in attendance, not just travelling from London, but from other nearby countries.

On my travels around Baku, I have met supporters from a few Middle Eastern countries and nations in Asia like Nepal and India.

The Premier League is popular in Azerbaijan, with locals telling me that Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea are among the most popular teams, along with Real Madrid, Barcelona and the big Turkish clubs.

Chelsea

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, speaking to TNT Sports: "We arrived at one o'clock in the morning, but it has been quick. Hopefully, we can do a good game and win the game."

On changes in the squad: "Try to protect some of the players and try win the game."

On Tyrique George: "Ty is doing well. We said many times, he is very young he needs to improve many things, but he deserves a chance."

On Liam Delap: "The message for Liam is quite clear. We have so many games - he is going to score goals and play games."

On Qarabag: "They're a very good team. Hopefully they're not going to surprise us. A good team, well organised and doing very good in the Champions League."

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport Chelsea reporter in Baku

Qarabag remain minnows at this level.

According to Transfermarkt, the squad is valued at under £22m, which is less than £1m per player, and they have spent less than £7m on transfers since 2020.

Chelsea have spent over £1.5bn in three seasons, albeit balanced by substantial player sales, with a squad now worth more than £1bn.

Chelsea

Chelsea have named three Brazilians in their starting XI in a Champions League game - Andrey Santos, Estevao Willian and Joao Pedro - for the first time since December 2015 v Porto (Ramires, Oscar, Willian).

There are three Brazilians also starting for the home side - Matheus Silva, Pedro Bicalho and Kady Borges.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea received 1,998 tickets but with the game taking place 2,500 miles away from Stamford Bridge, it's not clear if all of them were snapped up.

At least 1,000 are thought to have made the journey which is still pretty impressive considering the logistics involved in getting there.

Will they make themselves heard in the 30,000-capacity Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium?

There is a running track that wraps around the perimeter of the pitch which is a bit of downer in terms of atmosphere and view.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport Chelsea reporter in Baku

Chelsea will play Qarabag in the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium, which is named after arguably Azerbaijan's most successful footballing figure, a referee and linesman.

Most famously perhaps, Bahramov was the linesman that ruled Geoff Hurst's hat-trick goal in 1966 crossed the line as England beat West Germany in the World Cup final.

It's hard to imagine a referee having anything named after him in the United Kingdom.

Chelsea

Chelsea have fond memories of Azerbaijan.

Six years ago they beat Arsenal 4-1 in Baku to win the Europa League final.

Eden Hazard scored two goals, while Olivier Giroud and Pedro also scored for Maurizio Sarri's side.

Will Chelsea win again in Azerbaijan's capital?

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea

At 23 years and 97 days, Chelsea have named the second-youngest starting XI by average age for an English club in an away Champions League match, older only than Arsenal's v Olympiakos in December 2009 (21 years and 215 days).

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport Chelsea reporter in Baku

Image source, Getty Images

Qarabag supporters have booed Chelsea onto the pitch and they might expect a hostile reception in Baku.

Secretly, you feel the Azerbaijani champions are happy to host such esteemed opposition but they also will feel encouraged by Chelsea's young line up having won two of their three games during their Champions League campaign.

Like at Paris St-Germain, there are ultras at opposing ends driving the atmosphere.

Chelsea

They're four hours ahead in Baku so this game is kicking-off 21:45 local time. Chelsea will not be hanging about after the match.

They will be heading straight to the airport and will be landing back in London at 06:00 BST Thursday.

They have stayed on UK time during their short visit and have a couple of training sessions to prepare for the visit of bottom club Wolves to Stamford Bridge on Saturday (20:00 kick-off).