Preview: Schalke 04 vs. Chelsea

Schalke 04 face their sternest test so far in this season's Champions League but can make it three wins out of three in Group E if they beat Chelsea on Tuesday night.

Since being battered 4-0 by Bayern Munich exactly a month ago, the German side have won four and drawn one game in all competitions.

Jens Keller will be without Marco Hoger, who will miss the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery. Kevin-Prince Boateng could return on Tuesday and fill in for Hoger in central midfield.

Striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has also been ruled out until the New Year so Adam Szalai is likely to start up front.

Visiting Chelsea are definitely without left-back Ashley Cole, whose place in defence should be taken by Ryan Bertrand.

In attack, Fernando Torres is likely to lead the line after Samuel Eto'o started Saturday's Premier League win over Cardiff, with Oscar also set to be named in Jose Mourinho's lineup after scoring as a substitute at Stamford Bridge.

When these two sides last met in the group stage in 2007, it finished 0-0 at the Veltins-Arena.

Recent form

Schalke: WWWDWL

Chelsea: WWWDWW

Possible starting lineups

Schalke: Hildebrand; Uchida, Santana, Howedes, Aogo; Neustadter, Boateng; Clemens, Meyer, Draxler; Szalai

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

Sports Mole says: 1-1