Chelsea's poor season could get a whole lot worse on Wednesday, when they take on Porto in what promises to be a nervy final Champions League group game. These sides currently sit level on 10 points, only a couple clear of third-placed Dynamo Kyiv. Given that the Ukrainian outfit host the group's weakest team -- Maccabi Tel Aviv -- in their final match, they've still got a chance of overhauling one of the two giants facing off at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea vs. Porto, Champions League 2015: Start time, TV schedule and team news
Chelsea and Porto meet in the final round of Champions League group stage action, with both looking to book their place in the knockouts.
Porto’s superior head-to-head record means that a draw against Chelsea will get them through as group winners, providing Dynamo don’t win their game. If they do, that would leave all three of these sides locked on 11 points, and results between them (i.e. with games against Maccabi removed) would then determine who would progress. Unfortunately for Porto, their costly defeat to Dynamo in the last round means they’d finish bottom.
In short, that means Chelsea are guaranteed to go through with a draw, while a draw would only be good enough for Porto if Dynamo don’t win. If Dynamo win and Chelsea lose, it’d be Dynamo and Porto who’d both progress. Permutations galore!
Key factor: How will Chelsea’s counter-attack function?
Chelsea really haven't been at their best so far this season, but needing only a point is an ideal position for a José Mourinho team to be in. They can afford to sit back and allow Porto (who, remember, may well need to win the game) to throw bodies forward. When they do so, the likes of Eden Hazard are more than capable of finding space on the counter-attack. In theory, it's a great scenario for Chelsea, but in this strangest of strange seasons, the proof of the pudding is certainly in the eating.
When they last met: Porto 2-1 Chelsea, Sept. 29, 2015
Chelsea were played at their own game when these sides met in Portugal in September, with Porto seeing less of possession but coming away with more of the goals. Julen Lopetegui’s side opened the scoring through the magnificently named André André five minutes before the interval, only to be swiftly pegged back by Willian. Undeterred, the hosts managed to deliver the decisive blow through defender Maicon early in the second half, picking up a crucial three points as a result.
Chelsea injuries and suspensions
Out: Falcao (unspecified). In doubt: John Terry (ankle).
Porto injuries and suspensions
Out: Pablo Osvaldo (knee). In doubt: None.
Chelsea will be without striker Falcao, who is still sidelined with an unspecified problem. However, captain Terry could return to the heart of the defense after being sidelined with an ankle injury.
Porto's only certain absentee is striker Osvaldo, with a knee injury putting paid to the Italian's first appearance in England since he left Southampton a couple of years ago.
Match date/time: 2:45 p.m. ET, 7:45 p.m. local
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London, England
TV: Fox Sports regional networks (US - English); ESPN Deportes (US - Spanish); RDS 2, TSN1 (Canada); BT Sport 2 (UK)
Online: Fox Soccer 2GO (US - English); WatchESPN (US - Spanish); BT Sport Live Streaming (UK)
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