Champions League: Chelsea v Schalke match preview

A look ahead to Chelsea’s Champions League fixture in Gelsenkirchen

Eden Hazard is expected to start for Chelsea at Schalke (Getty Images)

Chelsea face a tough test to stay level with the rest of their Champions League group on Tuesday when they face off against Schalke.

After a surprising loss to Basel at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea will aim to secure valuable points against FC Schalke in Germany, the only team in Group E to remain unbeaten. Chelsea’s recent European and domestic form has been good, having won 5 of their last 6 games and amassing a goal difference of 13. Chelsea also moved into second place in the Premier League last week with a commanding 4-1 win against Cardiff City, and now lie just 2 points behind leaders Arsenal. Schalke have also been enjoying match success recently, winning 8 of their last 10 matches. However they lie only 5 in the German Bundesliga, 9 points behind leaders Bayern Munich. A win tonight for the Ruhr team will put them in a commanding position to win the group and increase the pressure on Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea to qualify.

KICK-OFF: Tuesday, 7.45pm

PAST MEETINGS

Schalke 0, Chelsea 0, Champions League, Group Stage, November 2007

Chelsea 2 (Malouda, Drogba), Schalke 0, Champions League, Group Stage, October 2007

STATS…

The German club have lost only two of their last 13 home fixtures in the competition, qualifying included, winning eight.

Chelsea have finished as winners of their section in seven of their last ten campaigns and qualified for the knockout rounds as runners-up in two of the other years.

Mourinho, who has lifted the trophy with both FC Porto (2004) and Internazionale (2010), is bidding to become the first manager to win the European Cup with three different teams.

Chelsea's overall record against Bundesliga opponents is W7 D4 L4.

With their win in the 2011/12 Champions League, Chelsea thus became the first side to win Uefa's two top club competitions in reverse order in successive seasons.

ODDS…

FC Shalke 04 to win: 3.2

Chelsea to win: 2.25

Draw: 3.25

TV: Live on Sky Sports 2 at 7:45pm, highlights on Sky Sports 2 at 10:00pm and ITV at 10.35pm