Chelsea vs Maccabi Tel-Aviv: Will Jose Mourinho be thinking about Arsenal's visit on Saturday?

ANALYSIS: A look at the main talking points ahead of Chelsea's first Champions League game of the season

Jose Mourinho (GETTY IMAGES)

Chelsea take on Israel's Maccabi Tel-Aviv in their first Champions League group match on Wednesday.

Here, we take a look at five talking points ahead of the match at Stamford Bridge.

WILL MOURINHO MAKE CHANGES?

Blues boss Jose Mourinho plans to tinker with his line-up for the visit of the Israeli qualifiers, but knows people will read more into who is left out than the real reason for the change. Some of Chelsea's best players last season are underperforming this term, but switches in personnel are likely to be about giving opportunities as much as giving players a rest. Branislav Ivanovic could be rested, with Cesar Azpilicueta switched to right back and Baba Rahman coming in on the left.

John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic are among the players who might be benched (Getty Images)

WHAT WILL MOURINHO DO FOR A WIN?

Do not expect flair and a flourish. Mourinho is likely to have drilled his players tactically for the encounter and would settle for any kind of first home win of the season against a team travelling with five defenders. The Blues may switch from his usual 4-2-3-1 to a 4-3-3, which becomes 4-5-1 when the wingers drop back in defence.

WILL MOURINHO BE THINKING ABOUT ARSENAL'S VISIT ON SATURDAY?

No. Chelsea's miserable start began with Mourinho's first loss to Arsene Wenger's Arsenal in 14 attempts in the Community Shield and the Gunners visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Mourinho will not have one eye on that as his team are desperate for a win. Any win.

IS IT TIME FOR EDEN HAZARD TO SHOW HIS WORTH?

Hazard was Chelsea's most potent attacking weapon last season and, Mourinho said, one of the best three players in the world. He was consistent while scoring and making goals. The Belgium forward, valued at "£100 million each leg", must prove he is alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to match his manager's endorsement and lead Chelsea out of their slump and far into Europe.

ARE MACCABI TEL-AVIV ANY GOOD?

The Israeli side are managed by Slavisa Jokanovic, who guided Watford into the Premier League, and features two Tal Ben Haims amidst their ranks, one of whom used to play for Chelsea. They beat Basle to advance to the group phase and, as Mourinho said, the Swiss beat Liverpool last term and Chelsea, twice, the year before. The warning is there for Chelsea.