Chelsea vs. Dynamo Kiev: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
Chelsea have a Champions League match to win, but you wouldn't have known it judging by Jose Mourinho's pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
Many of the questions put to the Chelsea boss surrounded his future at Stamford Bridge and whether or not he faces the sack given the Blues' poor form.
It's been well documented this past month that Mourinho believes he has the backing of owner Roman Abramovich, which he repeated.
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When we eventually got around to the football, the Chelsea manager was equally as confident with the position his team finds itself.
"Tomorrow is not a must-win game, it's a must-not-lose game, so if we draw and then win the last two matches we will qualify," he said.
On paper, it's a valid observation from Mourinho. Given that Chelsea still have to face Porto in one of their final two Group G matches after this, however, a win is what the Blues must be chasing.
In this season of all seasons, they can't be leaving anything to chance.
When the Champions League draw was made, Chelsea were thankful for being drawn in one of the competition's easier groups.
They had avoided any of the big guns, and we were expecting them to enjoy a simple route into the knock-out stages.
After just one win, followed by a loss to Porto and a draw in Ukraine a fortnight ago, it hasn't proved so. There's still plenty to play for, but now Chelsea face the very real possibility of not making it out of Group G.
Defeat to Kiev on Wednesday will all but seal their fate given it will put the Ukrainian side four points clear of the Blues with just two games remaining.
With all that's going on at Chelsea right now, a win is vital here, despite Mourinho's claims to the contrary.
Match details
Date: Wednesday, November 4
Time: 7:45 p.m. GMT / 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
TV Info: BT Sport/Fox Sports (U.S. only)
Live Stream: BT Sport app/Fox Soccer2Go (U.S. only)
Last 5 games
| Oct. 16 | Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa |
| Oct. 20 | Dynamo Kiev 0-0 Chelsea |
| Oct. 24 | West Ham United 2-1 Chelsea |
| Oct. 27 | Stoke City 1-1 Chelsea (AET) |
| Oct. 31 | Chelsea 1-3 Liverpool |
| Oct. 4 | Vorskla 0-4 Dynamo Kiev |
| Oct. 16 | Dynamo Kiev 0-3 Shakhtar Donetsk |
| Oct. 20 | Dynamo Kiev 0-0 Chelsea |
| Oct. 27 | Dynamo Kiev 5-0 Obolon-Brovar |
| Oct. 31 | Dynamo Kiev 2-0 Metalist |
Predicted lineups
Mourinho confirmed on Tuesday that Radamel Falcao had picked up a muscle injury in training, meaning he'll be out of action for the next few weeks.
Falcao joins Thibaut Courtois, Pedro and Branislav Ivanovic on the sidelines. Pedro and Ivanovic did train on Tuesday, but aren't expected to be rushed back into the starting line-up for this game.
As for Dynamo Kiev, manager Sergei Rebrov has a fully fit squad from which to select his team.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Begovic; Zouma, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Diego Costa.
Dynamo Kiev (4-1-4-1): Shovkovskiy; Silva, Khacheridi, Dragovic, Vida; Rybalka; Yarmolenko, Ngcongca, Buyalsky, Gonzalez; Kravets.
Key players
Willian
The Brazilian has been Chelsea's talisman in recent weeks, and the Blues will be looking to him once more to provide some inspiration.
And they need it after three losses on the bounce, especially with so much riding on this game.
Willian isn't the most creative player in this Chelsea side, but he more than makes up for that with his energy. He presses teams with a tenacity few can match, working tirelessly on the right side of midfield.
Recently, he's been getting the reward for that endeavor, which his team-mates need to match.
Andriy Yarmolenko
Much like Willian has been for Chelsea of late, Andriy Yarmolenko is the biggest threat for Dynamo Kiev.
Mourinho's side experienced first hand a fortnight ago why there is so much hype surrounding the 26-year-old. He comes with a bag full of tricks and has few problems when exposing defenders.
Chelsea did a good job of containing him in Kiev, yet there were some moments—especially in the final 15 minutes—when he looked like creating something.
As the away attacker, Yarmolenko may find it more favourable in London, potentially finding more space as Chelsea push forward for a much-needed win.
Prediction
Chelsea 2-1 Dynamo Kiev
Odds
Home Win: 25/51
Away Win: 621/100
Draw: 149/50
First Goalscorer: Willian (9/1)
*Odds via Odds Shark and Oddschecker
Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes
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