Preview: Chelsea vs. Maribor

The 1-0 victory over Sporting Lisbon last time out has put Chelsea in command of their Champions League group.

Ahead of Tuesday evening's home clash against Maribor, the Blues are top of the standings on four points, with their Slovenian visitors two points adrift in second.

Jose Mourinho will take his side to Manchester United on Sunday afternoon, which could have some impact on his starting lineup at Stamford Bridge.

He has already confirmed that leading goalscorer Diego Costa will sit out the contest with a hamstring problem, so either Didier Drogba or Loic Remy will lead the attack.

There is also a chance that Brazilian international Filipe Luis will feature at left-back in order to gain some match fitness ahead of the trip to Old Trafford, for which Cesar Azpilicueta will be absent through suspension.

As for the visitors, they will be without Slovenia Under-21 international Petar Stojanovic because of a thigh complaint.

Chelsea have never previously faced opposition from the Eastern European nation, but Maribor have made three previous trips to England - all of which they have lost.

In 2011 and 2012 they were beaten by Birmingham City and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, while, last year, they were seen off by Wigan Athletic in the Europa League.

Recent form

Chelsea: DWWWWW

Maribor: WDDWDL

Possible starting lineups

Chelsea: Courtois; Luis, Cahill, Terry, Ivanovic; Matic, Fabregas; Schurrle, Hazard, Salah; Drogba

Maribor: Handanovic; Viler, Suler, Rajcevic, Mejac; Bohar, Mertelj, Filipovic, Vrsic; Tavares, Ibraimi

Sports Mole says: 3-0