Chelsea v Schalke odds, free bets, live stream – Champions League opener at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea will be confident of at least matching their semi-final run of last year in the Champions League this term as they face Schalke at Stamford Bridge tonight.
The Blues have added Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa and the pair have taken the club to a new level already after just four matches.
Wednesday Champions League Offer : Bayern at 3/1 OR Man City at 8/1!
Chelsea already have a five point advantage over the Premier League champions Manchester City, having won all four league matches.
As for Schalke, they have endured an awful start to the campaign, with just one point from three games.
They were thrashed 4-1 by Borussia Monchengladbach on the weekend and they can’t afford to put in a similar level of performance.
Chelsea and Schalke have met four times previously, including in last year’s Champions League competition.
Jose Mourinho’s men won both games 3-0 last term and are yet to concede a goal against their German opposition.
Champions League record: Chelsea winners (2012); Schalke semi-final (2011)
Team news
Mourinho could opt to rotate his starting XI, with more than one eye on the weekends clash with Manchester City.
Costa has been in sensational form and may be rested, especially after picking up a couple of minor injuries since joining.
Loic Remy will deputise if Costa isn’t risked, with Didier Drogba ruled out for Chelsea.
John Terry is another who could be rotated, which would see Felipe Luis start from full-back with Branislav Ivanovic moving to centre half.
The Brazilian pair of Ramies and Willian will be looking to start after impressive cameo performances to date.
Julian Draxler, Sidney Sam and Kevin Prince Boateng all look set to start in a bold 4-2-3-1 formation.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar was heavily linked once again with a move to the Premier League in the summer, however remained at Schalke and will start.
Expected starting XI’s
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Luis; Matic, Fabregas; Oscar, Hazard, Willian; Remy
Schalke (4-2-3-1): Fahrmann; Aogo, Howedes, Matip, Ayhan; Fuchs, Neustadter; Draxler, Sam, Boateng; Huntelaar
