NK Maribor vs. Chelsea: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

After an amazing unbeaten start to their Premier League and European campaigns, Chelsea travel to Slovenia to face NK Maribor on Wednesday in an attempt to secure their place in the knockout phase of the Champions League.

Jose Mourinho's side is showing the same kind of steel as the Special One's first Chelsea squad, which was created during his initial spell as manager from 2004-2007.

The west London outfit currently sits top of Group G on seven points and will seal qualification with a victory, but even a draw would be satisfactory.

However, Chelsea destroyed the Slovenians during Maribor's recent visit to Stamford Bridge, strolling to a 6-0 win, and more of the same can be expected on away soil.

Here is how you can watch this Champions League group match:

When: Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 7.45 p.m. GMT/2.45 p.m. ET

Where: Stadion Ljudski vrt, Slovenia

TV Info: Live on Sky Sports 1 and HD (UK only), Fox Soccer Plus (US only)

Live Stream: Sky Go (UK only) Fox Soccer2Go (US only)

Jose Mourinho to Take Chance to Rest Stars?

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

It has been a hectic start for Chelsea's squad as it produces a consistency not seen at Stamford Bridge since Mourinho was last in charge.

The additions of Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas have been key in the past few months, and Chelsea look like a totally different beast to the side that limped over the line in 2013-14.

However, Mourinho has not had the opportunity to rest his superstars of late, and the tepid threat of Maribor may make him consider his options.

Costa has suffered minor injury setbacks continually since his acquisition from Atletico Madrid, but his form has been electric. His nine goals in eight Premier League matches, per Squawka.com, has already proved many of his doubters wrong and showed that life in England is well within his capabilities.

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

Fabregas has also been outstanding since his return to British shores. His dream move back to Barcelona ended in disappointment and Camp Nou crowds giving the player a very hard time whilst on the pitch.

But Fabregas looks like he has been at Chelsea for years, conducting the masterpiece that Mourinho has written for his orchestra. 

The aforementioned pair are key to the Blues' hopes this term, which is why Mourinho might consider a rest for either ahead of the weekend trip to Liverpool.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Eden Hazard is another to protect. The Belgian recently hit a rich vein of form, and when weighed against the Liverpool match, Hazard's presence in the Maribor tie starts to hold less significance.

Even with a team at reduced strength, Chelsea are likely to have far too much in the tank for their opponents. Didier Drogba proved he still has goals in him in the recent visit to Old Trafford, and the legendary striker can be trusted to navigate these waters.

Match Preview

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

Maribor's inexperience in Europe's top competition may be obvious to most, but the trip to Slovenia is certainly a difficult journey for any visiting team.

This will be one of the factors that makes Mourinho consider his options when he decides who to pick from his talented collective.

Indeed, BBC commentator for Match of the Day Conor McNamara humorously stressed how difficult the trip to Slovenia is:

Soccerlens believes that Chelsea will not involve four of their mainstays on Wednesday. Costa, John Terry, Willian and Thibaut Courtois will not play, according to Soccerlens' predictions.

The game should see a start for World Cup winner Andre Schurrle, who seems set to spend most of the campaign sitting on the bench. The match will be a key opportunity for him to prove that he deserves more starts, and goals against Maribor would help his case.

Maribor simply do not have the quality to compete at this level, especially with an oil-rich club like Chelsea. They will be aware of avoiding a similar thrashing that occurred during their visit to London, and Maribor will probably bolt the door in an attempt to gain a point.

But that is the best they can expect. Chelsea are going through to the knockouts, and the Slovenians will be powerless to stop them.