MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 11:57:50| >> :60:498:498:

Preview: Chelsea vs. Steaua Bucuresti

Preview: Chelsea vs. Steaua Bucuresti
© PA Photos
Sports Mole previews the second leg of the last-16 Europa League clash between Chelsea and Steaua Bucuresti at Stamford Bridge.

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


ID:73829: cacheID:73829:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4123:
Written by
Matt Law
No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
John Terry celebrates scoring the opener for Chelsea
Read Next:
Team News: Terry returns to captain Chelsea
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio651016
2Athletic Bilbao651016
3Anderlecht642014
4Lyon641113
5Frankfurt641113
6Galatasaray633012
7Man Utd633012
8Rangers632111
9Spurs632111
10FCSB632111
11Real Sociedad631210
12Ajax631210
13Bodo/Glimt631210
14Roma62319
15Olympiacos62319
16Ferencvaros63039
17Plzen62319
18AZ62228
19Fenerbahce62228
20Porto62228
21Union SG62228
22Braga62137
23Elfsborg62137
24PAOK62137
25Midtjylland62137
26M. Tel Aviv62046
27Hoffenheim61326
28Besiktas62046
29Slavia Prague61144
30FC Twente60424
31Malmo61144
32Ludogorets60333
33Qarabag61053
34RFS60242
35Nice60242
36Dynamo Kiev60060


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!