Champions League: Chelsea v FC Nordsjælland match preview

A look ahead to tonight's Champions League fixture at Stamford Bridge

Sean Gallagher

Wednesday 05 December 2012

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Chelsea go into their last group game knowing that only a win over FC Nordsjælland will keep alive their slim hopes of qualifying from Group E.

The Blues must also hope that Juventus lose away to Shakhtar Donetsk if they are to advance through to the group stages and avoid becoming the first team in Champions League history to bow out in the group stages after winning the competition the year previously.

Rafa Benitez is still awaiting his first win as Chelsea interim manager and will be hoping the return of defender David Luiz from suspension will boost his side's chances of advancing from the group.

The match has little significance for FC Nordsjælland, with progress in the Champions League impossible and a place in the Europa League also not viable.

 

KICK-OFF: Wednesday, 7.45pm

 

PAST MEETINGS…

FC Nordsjælland 0 Chelsea 4 (Juan Mata 2, David Luiz, Ramires), group stage, October 2012

 

STATS…

Their meeting on 2 October was the Danish champions' first competitive meeting with English opposition, while Chelsea's results at home to visitors from Denmark are less impressive than their results away.

They faced FC København in the 2010/11 Champions League round of 16 and in the 1998/99 Uefa Cup Winners' Cup second round and each time failed to win the home leg, drawing 1-1 in 1998 and 0-0 13 years later. On each occasion, however, away wins - 1-0 and 2-0 respectively - ensured victory in the tie.

The Blues are eight games unbeaten at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League, winning seven since their 1-0 defeat by Manchester United in the quarter-finals on 6 April 2011.

Petr Cech, Branislav Ivanovic and David Luiz have played every minute of Chelsea's group stage campaign.

Nordsjælland have a goal difference of -13, the joint worst in the competition with GNK Dinamo Zagreb. Their tally of 16 goals conceded is more than that of any other side.

The Danish champions have had 30 shots in the group stage, fewer than any other team.

 

ODDS…

Chelsea to win: 1.13

FC Nordsjælland to win: 29.00

Draw:  11.00

 

TV: Live on Sky Sports 2 at 7.45pm

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