Chelsea kick off their Champions League campaign at home to Israeli champions Maccabi Tel Aviv on Wednesday with things looking more uncertain at Stamford Bridge than they have for quite some time. José Mourinho’s side have won just one of their six competitive matches so far this season, and though it’s too premature to describe it as a crisis, it’s clear that something’s not clicking. A bad result in this game would only pile the pressure on the Blues yet further.
Chelsea vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch Champions League online
Chelsea should pick up a fairly routine win against Maccabi Tel Aviv when they kick off their Champions League campaign on Wednesday.
However, though Maccabi won their domestic title last season, they’re unlikely to give Chelsea too much to worry about. They’ve not been in the Champions League group stages in a decade, and were given a scare in qualification for this year’s tournament by going down 2-1 at home to Czech outfit Viktoria Plzeň. Fortunately, they bounced back to win the reverse fixture 2-0 to progress into the next round.
Key player: Eden Hazard
Under José Mourinho, Chelsea have occasionally struggled against sides that play with very deep defences. They’ve often had to rely on the individual brilliance of their winger Eden Hazard to bail them out, with his sharp mind and even quicker feet enabling him to almost invariably emerge from one-on-one duels with the ball. With Maccabi likely to sit deep and defend in numbers, Hazard may well be relied upon once again.
Upset potential
Maccabi picking up anything from this game would come as a massive surprise. Maccabi have only played in England once before, in the Europa League three years ago. On that occasion they lost 3-0 to Stoke City, which alone reveals the magnitude of their task here. They're likely to sit back and try to keep a clean sheet, but if Chelsea manage to break through, then the floodgates could well open.
Chelsea injuries and suspensions
Out: Thibaut Courtois (knee), Radamel Falcao (unspecified). In doubt: None.
Maccabi Tel Aviv injuries and suspensions
Out: Eliazer Dasa (suspended). In doubt: None.
Chelsea will be without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and striker Radamel Falcao, while Maccabi defender Eliazer Dasa is suspended after being sent off in Europa League qualifying while playing for Beitar Jerusalem.
Match Date/Time: Wednesday, 2:45 p.m. ET, 7:45 p.m. local
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London, England
TV: Fox Sports regional networks (U.S.), TSN4 (Canada), BT Sport 2 (U.K.)
Online: Fox Soccer 2Go (U.S.), BT Sport 2 (U.K.)
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