Chelsea v Shakhtar Donetsk: Match Preview

07 November 2012 12:30

Chelsea will look to get back on track in their Champions League Campaign this Wednesday as they play Shakhtar Donetsk at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea v Shakhtar Donetsk - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.

John Terry is set to return for the Chelsea first team this Wednesday. Terry has been unable to play domestically due to his 4 game ban for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand. However – Roberto Di Matteo will want a solid defence for tonights game as he looks to re-claim top spot in Group E.

In Europe – Chelsea have started the defence of their crown well. With a 2-2 draw against Italian champions Juventus and a 4-0 thrashing of FC Nordsjaelland. However, Chelsea would go on to lose 2-0 to Shakhtar in the first fixture – Cheslea will be keen to reclaim first spot in their group.

Chelsea currently sit second of Group E in this seasons campaign – and with tonights games against first place Shakhtar Donetsk, Chelsea will be keen to get back to the summit of Group E in in The Champions League

Shaktar Donestk Last 5 Results – D W W W W

03/11/12 – Shaktar Donestk 2 – 1 Metalurh Zaporizhzhya

27/10/12 – Tavria Simferopol 0 – 1 Shakhtar Donetsk

19/10/12 – Shakhtar Donetsk 2 – 1 Illichivets Mariupol

07/10/12 – Metalist 0 – 2 Shaktar Donestk

02/10/12 – Juventus 1 – 1 Shaktar Donestk

Shaktar Donetsk Likely Line-up: Pyatov – Srna – Chygryniskiy – Rakitskiy – Rat – Hubschman – Fernandinho – Ilsinho – Mkhitaryan – Willian – Adriano

Chelsea Last 5 Results – W W L W D

3/11/12 – Swansea 1 – 1 Chelsea

31/10/12 – Chelsea 5 – 4 Man Utd

28/11/12 – Chelsea 2 – 3 Man Utd

23/10/12 – Tottenham 2 – 4 Chelsea

06/10/12 – Chelsea 4 – 1 Norwich

Chelsea Likely Line-up: Cech – Ivanovic – Luiz – Terry - Cole – Ramires – Mikel - Oscar – Mata – Hazard - Torres

Chelsea's European campaign in the 2011/2012 season proved to be a victorious one as The Blues finally got their hands on the trophy that they craved for so long. With many saying that was the spark which caused Chelsea to spend enormous amounts on a whole host of young European talent in the off season. Including the likes of Eden Hazard, Oscar, Marko Marin and Victor Moses.

Chelsea hero and legend Didier Drogba scored the equalizing goal and decisive penalty with his last kick for the club in the 2011/2012 Champions League Final to give Chelsea the victory against FC Bayern Munich

Predicted Score: 1-2

I believe similarly to the first leg Shakhtar will be too strong for Chelsea. This is a must win game for Chelsea – with Juventus likely to win against Nordsjaelland and therefore overtaking Chelsea, the Blues will need a win to stay in contention with progressing to the knock out round.

The Ukranian side dominated the last fixture at home – but playing at Stamford Bridge will give Chelsea the incentive. I expect Chelsea to score but Shakhtar to win the tie and cement themselves ast top of Group E in this seasons Champions League.

Source: DSG