Chelsea vs. Sporting – Team News, Lineups, Match Facts, Preview and Prediction

Chelsea take on Sporting in a clash at Stamford Bridge where Chelsea have nothing to gain, while Sporting have everything to lose, as their result is dependent on the result of the clash between Schalke and Maribor. Chelsea will want to preserve their unbeaten record in the competition so far, and will want to secure a draw at least against Sporting, even though they might use this opportunity to rotate the squad. Sporting will play their strongest squad and do their best to eke out a draw, given their poor away record in the Champions League.

Mourinho To Rest Key Players

Chelsea are favourites to win the Champions League next May, and they have the squad which is more than capable of lifting the title. The only issue with Chelsea is that their squad depth has remained untested, owing to the constant presence of some names on the teamsheet. A player like Mohammed Salah has barely got any playing time this season, and he might be inclined to think that he would have got a better deal at Liverpool or at Tottenham. The sidelined players, if given a chance, will want to show their home fans that they are worthy of donning the Chelsea jersey, game after game. For Sporting, the player with English experience, Nani, who has taken on Chelsea earlier at Stamford Bridge, can only give his teammates advice, as he may not play a part in the game. Sporting will treat this game as a must-win game and will use their physical prowess to fight Chelsea. Both sides have defensive rock-like players, in the form of Nemanja Matic or Ramires for Chelsea, and William Carvalho for Sporting, and the player in better form will be able to influence the game in his team’s favour.

The players at Chelsea and Sporting will want to win to prove that they are worthy of competing in the Champions League for their respective teams. Chelsea’s players will want to prove a point to Jose Mourinho, to pick them more often; while Sporting are fighting to stay in the Champions League, and their players will want to give their best.

Chelsea vs. Sporting Team News:

Having qualified for the round-of-16 stage in first place, the home side will choose to rest Thibaut Courtois, Cesc Fabregas, Diego Costa, John Terry and Eden Hazard, to give them a much-needed rest and give the other squad members a chance to prove themselves. Petr Cech, Ramires, Loic Remy, Filipe Luis and Mohammed Salah could fancy their chances of getting into the side.

For Sporting, their on-loan talisman from Manchester United, Nani might not play, after picking up an injury during Sporting’s last league game.

Chelsea vs. Sporting match facts:

• Chelsea have won their last seven fixtures against Portuguese clubs, all by a single-goal margin.
• Chelsea are already assured of first place, making this the ninth time in their last 12 campaigns that the Blues have won their group.
• José Mourinho lifted the UEFA Champions League with FC Porto (2004) and FC Internazionale Milano (2010) and is bidding to become the first coach to win the European Cup with three different teams.
• Chelsea’s win on 30 September ended Sporting’s 16-match unbeaten home run in Europe.
• Sporting’s 20 previous games against English sides have ended W9 D3 L8 (W2 D2 L6 in England).
• Sporting have won only once in their last 17 European away games, 2-0 at FC Zürich in that 2011/12 campaign.

Facts compiled from uefa.com

Chelsea v. Sporting possible line-up:

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Petr Cech – Braniuslov Ivanovic, Kurt Zouma, Gary Cahill, Filipe Luis – Ramires, Nemanja Matic – Mohammed Salah, Willian, Andre Schurrle/Oscar – Loic Remy

Sporting (4-4-2): Rui Patricio – Jonathan Silva, Paulo Oliveira, Mahamadou Naby-Sarr, Jefferson – William Carvalho, Adrien Silva, Joao Maria, Nani/Andre Carrillo – Islam Slimani, Carlos Mane.

Chelsea vs. Sporting prediction:

Place you Champions League odds if you think a 2-1 win is possible for the home side.