Chelsea v Schalke- Match Preview & Predictions

Chelsea get their Champions League campaign underway when they welcome Schalke to the Bridge on Wednesday evening. 

Date: Wednesday, 15th September  Venue: Stamford Bridge  Kick-off: 19:45 GMT

Chelsea play their first game in Europe’s elite competition since Atlético Madrid knocked them out at the semi-final stage last season with a convincing win at Stamford Bridge.

Schalke were demolished 9-2 on aggregate at the round-of-16 stage by eventual competition winners Real Madrid.

Chelsea faced the German side in last years Group stage as both sides were drawn into group E, of which Chelsea finished top. Chelsea beat Schalke by three goals to nil both times the sides met.

The two teams are drawn into Group G this time round, and Chelsea are expected to qualify from the group with relative ease.

Mourinho’s men come into the game on the back of an impressive display, particularly in the second half, at home to Swansea City on Saturday. Chelsea’s current star man Diego Costa bagged himself a hat-trick as Chelsea came from behind to triumph.

Schalke, meanwhile, put in a dismal display away to Mönchengladbach over the weekend, losing 4-1. They currently sit 16th in the German league while Chelsea, of course, top the Premier League as things stand.

Mourinho repeatedly stressed throughout last season that his Chelsea squad was not good enough to win the Champions League. Despite Mourinho eventually being proved right, falling at the semi-finals was still a very respectable achievement for Chelsea.

However, with this season’s squad evidently stronger that last’s, a few are tipping Chelsea to go all the way in Europe this season. If they are to do so, then a solid start is needed at home this Wednesday night in a game that they are definitely expected to win.

The lineups of both teams should make for interesting talking points. Schalke are facing somewhat of an injury crisis with Fabian Giefer, Sead Kolasinac, Felipe Santana, Leon Goretzka and Jefferson Farfan all missing out through injury.

The German side are expected to have  Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Julian Draxler available to them despite recent injury scares to the pair.

Chelsea may look to rest a few faces with the league leaders travelling to the Etihad to face Manchester City this coming Sunday. John Terry, Eden Hazard and Diego Costa are all being talked about as possible candidates for a rest, but nothing is set in stone yet.

Loic Remy could make his Champions League return if Diego Costa is let to rest. The Frenchman played for Marseille in the competition before moving to our London rivals in QPR.

Filipe Luis could also make his full Chelsea debut if Mourinho decides to switch things up in defence. Branislav Ivanovic or Cesar Azpilicueta would make way for the Brazilian.

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Finally, Petr Cech could make a return to the Chelsea lineup ahead of Thibaut Courtois.

While Schalke, perhaps the second strongest team in Group G, will provide a fair threat, Chelsea should ease to victory on Wednesday evening.

Chelsea v Schalke – Pre Match facts

  • Only eight teams have scored more goals than Diego Costa across EuropeÂ’s top five leagues this season so far
  • Chelsea have played Schalke on four previous occasions in the CL, getting 3 wins and 1 draw
  • Schalke are yet to score a goal against Chelsea in the Champions League (4 games)
  • No German team has ever won at Stamford Bridge
  • The German side are yet to win a game this season (3 losses, 1 draw)

Chelsea v Schalke – Predicted lineup

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Luis; Matic, Ramires; Schurrle, Oscar, Willian; Remy

Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Schalke

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