Preview: Schalke 04 vs. Chelsea

Roberto di Matteo will be hoping to all-but seal his Schalke 04 side's place in the knockout phase of the Champions League with a victory against the side that he won the competition with in 2012.

The Bundesliga club will welcome Group G leaders Chelsea on Tuesday sitting three points behind Jose Mourinho's side knowing that a win might be enough to send them through, depending on the result in the other tie in the group.

Schalke are still without Julian Draxler, who suffered a thigh injury last month, but Felipe Santana and Joel Matip both returned in the team's 3-2 win over Wolfsburg on Saturday.

Di Matteo is unlikely to rest players with qualification for the last 16 yet to be secured, but Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Kevin-Prince Boateng will both have to be careful to ensure that they are available for the final game of the groups, as they are both a booking away from a suspension.

Meanwhile, a win for the London side would make sure that Chelsea progress to the next stage as group winners.

The team have been in formidable form so far this season, avoiding defeat in their last 18 competitive matches, 14 of which have finished with victory.

Mourinho has previously only used top scorer Diego Costa once a week, but insisted ahead of the team's match against West Bromwich Albion at the weekend that the striker was not currently troubled by his hamstring.

Cesc Fabregas featured on Saturday as well, despite picking up a minor hamstring injury while on international duty, while Loic Remy also made his return from a groin injury, suggesting that both will be available on Tuesday.

In their meeting at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season, prior to Di Matteo's appointment, the sides shared a 1-1 draw.

Schalke:

Form in Champions League: LLDDWL Form in all competitions: WLWLLW

Possible starting lineup: Fahrmann, Uchida, Howedes, Neustadter, Fuchs, Hoger, Aogo, Obasi, Boateng, Choupo-Moting, Huntelaar

Chelsea:

Form in Champions League: DLDWWD Form in all competitions: DWWDWW

Possible starting lineup: Cech, Ivanovic, Azpilicueta, Terry, Luis, Fabregas, Matic, Schurrle, Costa, Hazard, Remy

Sports Mole says: 1-2