SM
Inter Milan vs. Como: 19 hrs 13 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
CL
Champions League | Group Stage
Nov 4, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
DK

2-1

Dragovic (34' og.), Willian (83')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Dragovic (77')

Preview: Chelsea vs. Dynamo Kiev

:Headline: Preview: Chelsea vs. Dynamo Kiev: ID:255669: from db_amp
Sports Mole previews the Champions League meeting between Chelsea and Dynamo Kiev at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea will be hoping to revive their faltering season when they take on Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.

The Blues have endured a miserable start to the campaign, and a defeat to the Ukrainian champions could pile further misery on under-fire manager Jose Mourinho.


Chelsea

What began as a poor start to the season has quickly developed into a full-blown crisis for Chelsea, who are under increasing pressure to turn their form around.

The same team who romped to the title in clinical fashion last term are currently 15th in the Premier League table this time around, having lost six of their opening 11 fixtures.

The most recent of those defeats came at the weekend, as Liverpool recovered from conceding an early goal to claim a 3-1 victory, giving Jurgen Klopp his first league win since taking charge of the Reds.

The result cast further doubt over Mourinho's future at the club, but the Portuguese has since claimed that he will see out his contract and that he does not fear the sack.

Chelsea's problems on the pitch have led to a number of other difficulties for Mourinho, as he has been hit with a one-match stadium ban and a fine of £40,000 from the Football Association, while he is also to be the subject of individual legal action from former club doctor Eva Carneiro.

It is not just their league form which has suffered, as they are third in Group G after winning just one of their opening three Champions League matches.

However, the Blues could overtake tonight's opponents Kiev in the table with a victory, and many considered them unfortunate not to win when the teams met last month, as they hit the woodwork twice and had a penalty appeal turned down in a goalless draw.

Recent form: WDLDL


Dynamo Kiev

While Chelsea have struggled in their own domestic league, it has been a different story for Dynamo Kiev, who are level with Shakhtar Donetsk at the top of the Ukrainian Premier League.

The defending champions have only lost one of their opening 12 fixtures in the top flight, although that sole defeat did come at the hands of Shakhtar in a disappointing 3-0 reverse at home.

They bounced back from that setback to claim a precious point against Chelsea in Europe four days later, and they warmed up for this week's trip to Stamford Bridge by beating Metalist Kharkiv 2-0 at the weekend.

Kiev manager Serhiy Rebrov, who had spells during his playing career in London with Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United, will be hoping that his team can produce a repeat of their last European display and maintain their unbeaten record in this season's group stage.

The Ukrainians had started their European campaign by coming from behind late on to snatch a 2-2 draw against Porto, before they came away from Israel with a 2-0 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Kiev's positive start is all the more important as they have not reached the knockout stages in the tournament for 16 years, when they were beaten 4-3 on aggregate in the last four by Bayern Munich.

Recent form: WWLDW


Team News

Chelsea are still without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, while Radamel Falcao is set for a spell on the sidelines with a muscle injury.

However, Branislav Ivanovic and Pedro have both returned to training, while Nemanja Matic is available after missing the defeat to Liverpool through suspension.

Cesc Fabregas could also return to the starting lineup for the Blues, and Eden Hazard should keep his place despite his lack of form.

Meanwhile, Kiev have no fresh injury concerns, leaving Rebrov with a full complement of players to choose from.

Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Begovic, Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Fabregas, Ramires, Oscar, Hazard, Willian, Costa

Dynamo Kiev possible starting lineup:
Shovkovsky, Danilo, Khacheridi, Dragovic, Antunes, Rybalka, Veloso, Yarmolenko, Buyalskyi, Husyev, Moraes


Head To Head

The goalless draw between the teams last month was their first-ever meeting in the Champions League, and only Chelsea's second game against a team from Ukraine, after playing Shakhtar Donetsk in the group stage three years ago.

Kiev had previously faced English opposition 24 times in European competition, but they have never won away from home and have been victorious in just five of those matches.


We say: Chelsea 2-1 Dynamo Kiev

Although Chelsea have been in poor form, one of their best displays in recent weeks came against Kiev, and they will be looking to provide the same sort of performance this evening. The Ukrainians traditionally struggle in England, but they will be aware of the current turmoil at Stamford Bridge. However, we think that the Blues will have enough quality to edge to a much-needed victory and secure a crucial three points.



amp_article__255669 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2015-11-05 16:07:02:
html db last update - 2015-11-05 16:07:02 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Read more!
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .