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Chelsea logo
Champions League | Group Stage
Dec 10, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
Sporting Lisbon

3-1

Fabregas (8' pen.), Schurrle (16'), Obi Mikel (56')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Silva (50')

Preview: Chelsea vs. Sporting Lisbon

Sports Mole gazes ahead to Wednesday night's Champions League group game as already-qualified Chelsea take on Sporting Lisbon at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have already been confirmed as Group G winners going into tomorrow night's sixth and final matchday tie against Sporting Lisbon.

Jose Mourinho's men have collected 11 points from their five games so far to sit four points clear of Wednesday's opponents Sporting. They join Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Porto as the only sides to wrap up their groups after five matches.

Mourinho could make plenty of changes and rest some players but number one striker Diego Costa is expected to start, while Filipe Luis is unlikely to play as he is one booking away from being suspended for the first leg of their last-16 clash.

Although Chelsea have already sewn up top spot, they will be keen for an improved display after losing their club record-equalling 23-game unbeaten record at Newcastle United on Saturday lunchtime.

Sporting, who are on a four-game winning streak, can reach the Champions League knockouts for the second time if they avoid defeat at Stamford Bridge. They will also progress if Schalke 04 fail to win in Maribor in the group's other game.

If they don't lose, they will end Chelsea's seven-game winning streak against Portuguese clubs - each of which has been by a one-goal margin. They have also never won against a Premier League side in England.

In the reverse fixture on matchday two, Nemanja Matic's 34th-minute goal was enough for a 1-0 Chelsea win.

That was the middle game of Sporting's three-game winless start to Group G, but they have since won two in a row to move into pole position to join Chelsea in the last 16.

Cedric is suspended for the match, while Manchester United loanee Nani is out injured with a thigh injury.

Chelsea:

Form in Champions League: LDWWDW
Form in all competitions: WWWDWL

Possible starting lineup: Cech; Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry, Azpilicueta; Ramires, Mikel; Remy, Oscar, Schurrle; Costa

Sporting:

Form in Champions League: DLLWW
Form in all competitions: WDWWWW

Possible starting lineup: Patricio; Mauricio, Jefferson, Oliveira, Sarr, Carvalho, Mario, Silva, Slimani, Mane, Montero

Sports Mole says: 2-0


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Chelseas Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas celebrates scoring the opening goal of the UEFA Champions League, group G football match between Chelsea and Schalke 04 at Stamford Bridge, in London on September 17, 2014
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24PSV41215
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28Shakhtar41124
29Girona41033
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31Bologna40131
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