MX23RW : Thursday, January 16 06:52:59| >> :120:37799:37799:

Preview: Chelsea vs. Benfica

Preview: Chelsea vs. Benfica
© PA Photos
Chelsea will be looking to protect their winning home record in the Champions League tomorrow evening. Here, Sports Mole previews their chances of reaching the semi-final of the tournament at the expense of Benfica.

Chelsea have won all of their home Champions League fixtures so far this season.

If the Blues continue that form against Benfica tomorrow evening, they will guarantee their place in the semi-finals of the competition following last week's 1-0 win in Lisbon.

The home side will have to claim a victory without Didier Drogba, who is expected to miss out with a toe injury.

David Luiz is also struggling to be fit to face his former side because of damaged ankle ligaments. As a result, England international Gary Cahill will step into the breach at centre-back.

Portuguese visitors Benfica are likely to be missing defensive trio Ezequiel Garay, Jardel and Miguel Vitor through injury.

Benfica will have to break a run of five matches without victory against English opposition if they are to make it through to the final four.

Current form:

Chelsea: LWLDWW
Benfica: WWWDLW

Possible lineups:

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Cole; Lampard, Mikel, Ramires; Mata, Torres, Sturridge

Benfica: Artur; Maxi Pereira, Luisao, Garcia, Emerson; Matic; Bruno Cesar, Aimar, Gaitan; Cardozo, Rodrigo

Sports Mole says: 2-1

ID:22408: cacheID:22408:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2728:
Written by
Liam Apicella

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
David Luiz
Read Next:
Luiz may miss Benfica tie
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool20145148202847
2Arsenal21127241192243
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest21125430201041
4Newcastle UnitedNewcastle21115537221538
5Chelsea21107441261537
6Manchester CityMan City2110563829935
7Aston Villa2110563132-135
8Bournemouth219753225734
9Fulham217953230230
10Brentford218494037328
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham217592741-1426
13Tottenham HotspurSpurs21731143321124
14Crystal Palace215972328-524
15Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
16Everton203891526-1117
17Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2144133148-1716
19Leicester CityLeicester2135132346-2314
20Southampton2013161244-326


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!