Preview: Chelsea vs. Steaua Bucuresti

Chelsea will need to overcome a one-goal deficit against Steaua Bucuresti on Thursday in order to book their spot in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

The Romanian outfit shocked the Blues with a 1-0 win in the first leg last week, meaning that the Premier League side have work to do if they are to secure a European crown for the second successive season.

Chelsea will be buoyed by their performance against Manchester United in the FA Cup on Sunday, where they came from 2-0 behind to secure a replay with a 2-2 draw. However, a disappointing league campaign has left them in fourth position in the table.

Steaua, meanwhile, will enter the match full of confidence having won each of their last five games in all competitions. That run of form has left them top of their domestic division, 12 points ahead of nearest challengers Astra Giurgiu.

Chelsea could recall John Terry, Fernando Torres and John Obi Mikel to their starting lineup, with Frank Lampard, David Luiz and Demba Ba the players to move aside.

The away side, meanwhile, could continue with the same team that triumphed in the first leg last week, but Florin Gardos and Leandro Martins are both pushing for inclusions having appeared from the bench.

Recent form:

Chelsea: LWWLD

Steaua: WWWWW

Possible lineups:

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Cole; Mikel, Ramires; Oscar, Mata, Hazard; Torres

Steaua: Tatarusanu; Szukala, Latovlevici, Rapa, Chiriches; Pintilii, Chipciu, Tanase, Bourceanu; Popa, Rusescu

Sports Mole says: 2-0