Chelsea begin their Champions League knockout campaign away at German giants Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.
The Blues will hope to take comfort in European competition after winning just one of their last nine domestic matches since returning from the World Cup – a run that has seen them score just six goals.
But it won’t be easy against a Dortmund side that have won all six of their post-World Cup games, advancing in the DFB-Pokal and moving to within just three points of Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich.
Here’s everything you need to know about Wednesday’s match:
Dortmund vs Chelsea H2H Results
This is the first competitive meeting between these two teams.
Current Form (Last Five Games)
|
Country |
Television Channel/Live Stream |
|---|---|
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United Kingdom |
BT Sport 1 |
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United States |
TUDN USA, Paramount+ |
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Canada |
DAZN |
Dortmund team news
Mateu Morey is still recovering from a serious knee injury and is unlikely to make it back in time for this match. Youssoufa Moukoko also picked up a knock against Werder Bremen at the weekend and should join Abdoulaye Kamara on the sidelines.
Dortmund starting 11 (4-1-4-1): Kobel; Ryerson, Sule, Schlotterbeck, Guerreiro; Can; Reyna, Bellingham, Reus, Brandt; Haller.
Chelsea team news
Chelsea remain without a number of first-team players, including N’Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy, Armando Broja and former Dortmund forward Christian Pulisic.
Wesley Fofana, Mateo Kovacic, Raheem Sterling and Denis Zakaria are all nearing returns but likely won’t feature on Wednesday.
Benoit Badiashile was not registered for Chelsea’s Champions League squad.
Chelsea predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Kepa; James, Chalobah, Silva, Chilwell; Loftus-Cheek, Enzo; Madueke, Felix, Mudryk; Havertz.
These two sides couldn’t be in more contrasting form right now, with Dortmund winning for fun and Chelsea struggling to even worry opponents, let alone pick up victories.
Graham Potter will hope to use Europe as a springboard for improved results, but with so many players out and a host of others still trying to find their feet following a busy January, it’s hard to see Chelsea faring too well away from home.
They’ll still be in it when they return to Stamford Bridge, but Dortmund will leave Chelsea with a mountain to climb.
Prediction: Dortmund 2-0 Chelsea
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