Midfield:
Chelsea will look forward to Ramires and Frank Lampard to hold fort in midfield as Serbian Nemanja Matic is ineligible to play, having featured with Benfica earlier in the competition. The onus will thus be on the Brazilian-English pair to screen the back four and also support the attacking midfielders ahead joining in attacks. Oscar will start in his advanced role in his favourite number ten position while Willian and the ever nimble Eden Hazard will looking to mount attacks from the wide, gradually darting in to make space for the overlapping full backs to put crosses in the middle.
Since it is a home game, we don’t expect Mourinho to field a defensive lineup and hence the chances of Mikel playing alongside Ramires is unlikely. Although, it is reported that David Luiz is ready to return from his injury and if the Brazilian does prove his fitness on time before the match, expect Mourinho to field Luiz in the holding role ahead of Terry and Cahill.
Strikeforce:
Fernando Torres hardly made an impact at Villa Park and by the look of things, the Spaniard will be relegated to the bench as Mourinho will play Samuel Eto’o in the starting eleven. The Cameroonian will have to take half chances that falls his way and should keep up the pressure on Galatasaray’s backline if he has to get something out of the game.
