Chelsea vs. Schalke: Will Jose Mourinho Switch to a 4-3-3 Formation?

With one night of incredible UEFA Champions League action in the books, we turn our attention to the second installment, and with it Chelsea vs. Schalke.

The two blue sides have enjoyed contrasting fortunes so far this season, with the home side on a four-game winning streak atop the Premier League table, and the away side in 16th in the Bundesliga after failing to win a divisional game so far.

Let's take a tactical look at how this one will play out.

Chelsea Setup

Chelsea have absolutely no confirmed injury problems, and Jose Mourinho could be in a position to rotate his side after a fast and furious start to the season.

There will be lingering concerns, still, over the fitness of wingers Willian and Andre Schurrle post-World Cup, and with the Blues so heavily favoured, it feels like the sort of game Mohamed Salah could come in and play.

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Filipe Luis will also hope to come in for a start after being locked out of the XI by Cesar Azpilicueta, but Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa will be expected to continue their absurdly hot starts to the season.

Schalke Setup

Schalke have endured their worst start to a season in 46 years, with one solitary point earned in the Bundesliga and having been knocked out of the German Cup by third-division outfit Dynamo Dresden.

“We have to change something, pull together as a team and address the mistakes we keep making or this is going to be a very long, difficult season,” goalkeeper Ralf Fahrmann told reporters ahead of the match. “We have to come up with a plan.”

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It's fairly clear Jens Keller isn't happy with how he's been changing his XI for each and every game, making a projected XI very difficult. He started Marco Hoger and Roman Neustadter as a holding duo in a 4-2-3-1 against Borussia Monchengladbach this weekend, but Christian Clemens at right-back was a disaster.

The prospect of facing Clemens up against Eden Hazard is one that weakens the knees of the Konigsblauen faithful.

Key Tactical Point 1: Attacking the Edges

Chelsea's mission on Wednesday evening will be to continue in the manner that's served them so well so far: Slicing opponents to pieces using Fabregas' killer balls through the channels.

Not only do they create the one-on-ones that Costa simply gobbles up, but they also create the set pieces that the team as a whole have been so deadly from.

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Schalke will be looking to blockade the middle if possible and stop that, but it leaves them exceptionally vulnerable on the edges. Last year Real Madrid murdered Benedikt Howedes out at right-back, and although he's been restored to a central berth, none of the other options will fare any better on paper.

Whether its Dennis Aogo, Kaan Ayhan or Clemens, the away side will be in trouble.

Key Tactical Point 2: A Chance for a 4-3-3?

In the second half of Chelsea's 4-2 victory over Swansea City, Mourinho switched from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3—a move that piqued the interest of many.

There are some concerns over the idea of Fabregas performing at his best (long-term) in a double-pivot midfield, and the switch allowed the Spaniard to play as part of a three and tee off runners in Hazard, Ramires and Costa.

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It is, perhaps, a peek at Mourinho's "idea" of Chelsea this season, as his four best players—Nemanja Matic, Costa, Fabregas and Hazard—all suit the formation perfectly.

We could see it again here, be it from the start or later on, as the Blues are expected to lock this one up with relative ease.

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