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NK Maribor vs Chelsea: Champions League match preview

A look ahead to Wednesday’s Champions League fixture at the Ljudski vrt

Tuesday 04 November 2014 16:58 GMT

Didier Drogba fires in his 158th goal for Chelsea and his first since returning (Getty Images)

Chelsea will be looking to extend not just their unbeaten run in the league but in all competitions when they face NK Maribor on Wednesday night.

Just under two weeks ago the Blues swept aside a very poor Maribor, beating them 6-0. With statistically the best attack in the Premier League it looks as though there will be no easing up.

Especially given that if Jose Mourinho’s side win on Wednesday, they’ll need just a point to qualify in the worst possible scenario.

This game could see Diego Costa rested as he makes a slow return to first team action and the reinstatement of Didier Drogba up front who before the game against QPR had scored three in three starts.

Maribor come into the game in poor form, with just two wins from their last five outings, losing the rest.

Despite having the worst goal difference in Group G, they are second bottom above Sporting. Drawing against the Portuguese side and Schalke still offers them a chance of qualifying, even if they lose. However, with Schalke in a stronger position, Maribor will not want it to go down to goal difference and so a draw would be a great result.

KICK-OFF: Wednesday, 7.45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Chelsea 6 (Remy, Drogba, Terry, Viler og, Hazard 2) NK Maribor 0, Champions League, October 2014

STATS…

NK Maribor currently lie fourth in the Slovenian league after 15 games, only the top spot gets a Champions League qualifying place.

Alongside Southampton, Chelsea have the joint best goal difference in the league. They have however scored the most goals with 26.

Eden Hazard has scored three goals in his last four games, two coming against NK Maribor.

NK Maribor’s 18-year-old Luke Zahovic is the top scorer in the league with eight goals.

Chelsea 6 Maribor 0 - player ratings

Show all 12

1/12Chelsea 6 Maribor 0 - player ratings

Chelsea 6 Maribor 0 - player ratings

Petr Cech

Had very little to do but solid when required. 5/10

Associated Press

Chelsea 6 Maribor 0 - player ratings

Branislav Ivanovic

Kept popping up in attacking positions, including when he won a second-half penalty, and was never troubled defensively. 6

Associated Press

Chelsea 6 Maribor 0 - player ratings

Kurt Zouma

Could barely have asked for a more comfortable Champions League debut as Maribor faded after a bright first 15 minutes. 5

Getty Images

Chelsea 6 Maribor 0 - player ratings

John Terry

Unflappable at the back and deserved his goal for bombing forward the length of the pitch to get on the end of Cesc Fabregas’s cross. Also set up Loic Remy’s opener with an accurate long ball forward. 6

Getty Images

Chelsea 6 Maribor 0 - player ratings

Filipe Luis

Did brilliantly to race into the area in the build-up to Mitja Viler’s own goal and enjoyed the chance to get forward throughout the match. 5

Associated Press

Chelsea 6 Maribor 0 - player ratings

Nemanja Matic

Kept things ticking over in the Chelsea engine room but gave away penalty with clumsy tackle. 7

Getty Images

Chelsea 6 Maribor 0 - player ratings

Cesc Fabregas

Assisted Terry’s goal with a pinpoint cross and looked bright with his incisive passing. Rested for the final half-hour. 7

Getty Images

Chelsea 6 Maribor 0 - player ratings

Willian

Won the penalty for the Blues’ second and made his presence felt with constant pressing and harrying of the Maribor defenders. Unlucky not to score with long-range effort that hit the bar. 6

Getty Images

Chelsea 6 Maribor 0 - player ratings

Oscar

Quiet performance from the little Brazilian, but it barely mattered as Chelsea romped to victory. Taken off after 73 minutes. 5

Associated Press

Chelsea 6 Maribor 0 - player ratings

Eden Hazard

A delight to watch again – such a threat with his pace and direct running style, and fully deserved his two goals. The Belgian also started the move that ended in Terry’s strike and he forced Viler’s own goal with a low pass across the box. 9

Reuters

Chelsea 6 Maribor 0 - player ratings

Loic Remy

Took his goal excellently, but went off with just 16 minutes gone after injuring himself when scoring. 6

Getty Images

Chelsea 6 Maribor 0 - player ratings

Dider Drogba

Replaced Remy and confidently scored penalty seven minutes after his introduction. Looked a little off the pace for the most part. 5

Getty Images

ODDS…

Chelsea to win: 1.28

NK Maribor to win: 12.0

Draw: 5.0

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 at 7.45pm, highlights on Sky Sports 5 at 10.00pm.

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