Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic has stated that the team must improve their form away from home, starting with the Champions League clash with Maccabi Tel Aviv.

The Blues are in the bottom half of the Premier League table after losing seven of their 13 games so far this season, while they have also picked up just two wins from their last 10 games on the road.

With visits to Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur to come in the league soon, Ivanovic has said that the trip to Israel provides the team with the chance to get back to winning ways.

"It is a good opportunity to win away from home before going into that difficult run. We have to improve away from home," the Serbian told the London Evening Standard.

"It's always better to play in front of your fans, however the team show their strength by how they play away. The next away games are crucial for us in the League because we need results to get up the table."

Chelsea take on Maccabi this evening and will qualify for the knockout rounds with a win.