MX23RW : Saturday, November 23 02:43:05| >> :120:12261:12261:

Preview: Chelsea vs. Steaua Bucuresti

Preview: Chelsea vs. Steaua Bucuresti
© PA Photos
Sports Mole previews the second leg of the last-16 Europa League clash between Chelsea and Steaua Bucuresti at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea will need to overcome a one-goal deficit against Steaua Bucuresti on Thursday in order to book their spot in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

The Romanian outfit shocked the Blues with a 1-0 win in the first leg last week, meaning that the Premier League side have work to do if they are to secure a European crown for the second successive season.

Chelsea will be buoyed by their performance against Manchester United in the FA Cup on Sunday, where they came from 2-0 behind to secure a replay with a 2-2 draw. However, a disappointing league campaign has left them in fourth position in the table.

Steaua, meanwhile, will enter the match full of confidence having won each of their last five games in all competitions. That run of form has left them top of their domestic division, 12 points ahead of nearest challengers Astra Giurgiu.

Chelsea could recall John Terry, Fernando Torres and John Obi Mikel to their starting lineup, with Frank Lampard, David Luiz and Demba Ba the players to move aside.

The away side, meanwhile, could continue with the same team that triumphed in the first leg last week, but Florin Gardos and Leandro Martins are both pushing for inclusions having appeared from the bench.

Recent form:

Chelsea: LWWLD

Steaua: WWWWW

Possible lineups:

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Cole; Mikel, Ramires; Oscar, Mata, Hazard; Torres

Steaua: Tatarusanu; Szukala, Latovlevici, Rapa, Chiriches; Pintilii, Chipciu, Tanase, Bourceanu; Popa, Rusescu

Sports Mole says: 2-0


ID:73829: cacheID:73829:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4123:No Data Analysis info

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:
John Terry celebrates scoring the opener for Chelsea
Read Next:
Team News: Terry returns to captain Chelsea
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio440012
2Ajax431010
3Anderlecht431010
4Frankfurt431010
5Galatasaray431010
6Spurs43019
7FCSB43019
8Lyon42117
9Rangers42117
10Olympiacos42117
11Bodo/Glimt42117
12Midtjylland42117
13Ferencvaros42026
14Man Utd41306
15Plzen41306
16AZ42026
17Besiktas42026
18Hoffenheim41215
19Roma41215
20Fenerbahce41215
21Elfsborg41124
22Braga41124
23Porto41124
24Slavia Prague41124
25Real Sociedad41124
26Malmo41033
27FC Twente40313
28Qarabag41033
29Union SG40222
30Nice40222
31RFS40222
32Ludogorets40131
33PAOK40131
34Athletic Club00000
35M. Tel Aviv40040
36Dynamo Kiev40040


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!