Hazard and Mata will start in the attacking midfield slots behind Eto’o…
Team News:
With Ashley Cole not travelling, Ryan Bertrand will continue to deputise at left-back. Andre Schurrle has made the trip to his home country, but is unlikely to start following a recent injury problem.
John Terry and David Luiz will continue their blossoming central defensive partnership ahead of Gary Cahill, while stalwart right-back Branislav Ivanovic will continue on Bertrand’s opposite flank.
In midfield, we reckon Jose Mourinho will deploy an extra anchoring midfielder to deal with the attacking threat of Julian Draxler and Christian Clemens. John Obi Mikel could provide the platform for Frank Lampard and Ramires to get forward. The Brazilian midfielder has normally played a deep, reserved role for the Blues this year, but managed to get forward and score two goals in Chelsea’s last Champions League outing against Steaua Bucharest.
This means Oscar will have to remain on the bench, with Eden Hazard and Juan Mata cutting in from the flanks to link up with Samuel Eto’o, who bagged his first Chelsea goal at the weekend against Cardiff City. Mata has re-established himself as a key member of Mourinho’s starting lineup, following a difficult start to the season, while Hazard bagged a brace at the weekend.
COMMENTS