The current Champions League holders Chelsea are 90 minutes from failing to reach the Round of 16. That's never a fun place to be and it's made all the worse by the fact the Blues both need to win and a Shakhtar Donetsk defeat of Juvenuts to avoid crashing out of the tournament. Shakhtar and Juventus both just need a draw to advance to the next round and you can bet there will ridiculous cries of injustice coming from England should that happen.
Chelsea vs. FC Nordsjaelland: Preview and TV schedule
Chelsea need a victory over Nordsjaelland and a Shakhtar defeat of Juventus if they want to avoid crashing out of the Champions League
Caretaker manager Rafa Benitez is already despised by Chelsea fans and while their current situation in the Champions League isn’t his fault, they’ll likely be happy to blame him should the Blues fail to advance today. Benitez, during his pre-match press conference, said his players need to show character and implied that some players are not performing at the needed level.
FC Nordsjaelland have managed only one point in the group and shouldn’t threaten Chelsea assuming the Blues are motivated to perform. They haven’t looked good at all since Roberto Di Matteo’s sacking but surely this is a match they should win.
Chelsea injuries and suspensions
Out: Frank Lampard (calf), John Terry (knee). In doubt: Daniel Sturridge (hamstring).
FC Nordsjaelland injuries and suspensions
Out: Jores Okore (thigh). In Doubt: None.
Chelsea will be without Frank Lampard and John Terry, while Daniel Sturridge could make the bench as he recovers from a hamstring injury. Nordsjaelland’s only injury is Jores Okore who injured his thigh against Esbjerg last month. He’d played in all the team’s Champions League matches this season.
Match Date/Time: 8:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London, England
TV: FOX Soccer (U.S.), Sky Sports 2 (U.K.), Sportsnet (Canada)
Online: FOX Soccer 2 Go (U.S.)
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