Maribor vs. Chelsea: Key Issues and Decisions That Will Shape UCL Game

Chelsea will face NK Maribor in the second round of Champions League Group G matches on Wednesday. The Blues triumphed 6-0 in the reverse fixture and will be looking for a similar scoreline in Slovenia’s second city. However, with an early kickoff against Liverpool in the Premier League ahead on Saturday, Jose Mourinho will have several key issues to factor in ahead of this game.

Strikers

Clive Rose/Getty Images

Diego Costa returned to action against QPR after a muscular injury saw him sidelined for several weeks. He is likely to travel with the squad to Slovenia but there are doubts over whether he will play the full match, as Mourinho will need his star striker for Saturday’s trip to Anfield.

Loic Remy is still injured, leaving Didier Drogba as the most likely man to lead the line. The Ivorian netted his first goal since returning to Chelsea in the reverse fixture and should play some part in this match. Dominic Solanke made his Champions League debut in the 6-0 win at Stamford Bridge and will travel with the squad, but with Dorgba and Costa both available the 17-year-old is unlikely to feature in this game.

Back Four

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Kurt Zouma replaced Gary Cahill in the starting XI for the fixture at Stamford Bridge and performed admirably, recording the highest passing accuracy of any Chelsea player. He could get another opportunity in Slovenia, although he is likely to replace John Terry this time around.

Filipe Luis has started every Champions League game for Chelsea this season but was not on top form against QPR at the weekend. With Cesar Azpilicueta set to return from his domestic ban against Liverpool at the weekend, he should start this game to get his match-sharpness back.

Dynamic Duo

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

One of Chelsea’s strongest areas this season has been the midfield pairing of Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic. Between them, the duo have been involved in every game so far but as the fixture list begins to get more congested they could be in line for a break in this match.

Ramires’ cameo appearance for the dying minutes against QPR marked his return from an injury that he suffered before the last international break. He is likely to start this game, possibly alongside Nathan Ake. The young Dutchman got an assist for Eden Hazard’s second goal in the reverse fixture and should be given a chance against the Group G minnows.

Form

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Chelsea are unbeaten in all competitions this season, and would qualify from Group G with victory in Slovenia. By contrast, NK Maribor need to win to keep their chances of survival in the competition in their own hands. However, the home side’s two points from three games is more than a lot of people were expecting them to have picked up, and a draw against Chelsea at home is an achievable target that could see them secure Europa League qualification from a third place finish.

All statistics from WhoScored.com. Injury news from the official Chelsea website.