Chelsea
Reuters

Holders Chelsea travel to Ukraine - for the first time in their Champion League history - to take on Shakhtar Donetsk in a potentially crucial tie in Group E.

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is set for 7:45 pm BST. Live coverage will be available on Sky Sports 4 and Sky Sports HD 4.

Overview

In a group that's clearly become a three-horse battle, the next two rounds of fixtures could be vital in deciding qualifying spots. Chelsea and Shakhtar have four points on the board, after they both beat the group's whipping boys - Nordsjaelland - and played out draws against Juventus. And with the Old Lady of Turin set for two successive games against Nordsjaelland, it is down to Chelsea and Shakhtar to keep up with the Serie A champions.

Shakhtar have won 15 of 16 competitive games this season. Mircea Lucescu's men completely outplayed Juventus in Turin and were very unfortunate to not get more than a draw from that game. And with their 100 percent domestic record, they are 12 points clear of their nearest opponents in the Ukrainain Premier League.

Chelsea have also had a fantastic start to their season, winning nine out of 11 games played in all competitions. Di Matteo's men are on top of the league table, with 22 points - four ahead of the Manchester clubs.

Shakhtar Donetsk
Reuters

Team Form

Shakhtar Donetsk

  • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): W W D W W
  • Last Result: Shakhtar Donetsk 2 - 1 Illichivets Mariupol

Chelsea

  • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): W W W W W
  • Last Result: Tottenham Hotspur 2 - 4 Chelsea

Team News

Shakhtar Donetsk: Mircea Lucescu does not have any new injury or suspension worries and has a strong squad to pick from. Shakhtar plays a solid 4-2-3-1 system and their attacking quartet is as good as Chelsea's. In Willian, the Blues face a player that they have been trying to snap up for several years, while fellow Brazilian winger Alex Teixeira has been in sublime form this season, netting seven times. Their compatriot, Luis Adriano, will lead the attack as the lone striker. But the spotlight will be on playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan, touted as the next big thing in European football. The Armenia international has been unstoppable this term, scoring 16 goals in 14 appearances.

Chelsea: Di Matteo also has a full squad available, with captainJohn Terry, who is serving a domestic ban, set to return to the starting line-up. Veteran Frank Lampard could also start to add the element of experience to the midfield in this away fixture. But Chelsea are unlikely to sacrifice the work-rate of Ramires, so it could be either Eden Hazard or Oscar, who might make way for Lampard, if he is to feature.

Possible Starting Line-ups

Shakhtar Donetsk (4-2-3-1): Pyatov; Srna, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Rat; Hubschman, Fernandinho; Willian, Mkhitaryan, Teixeira; Luiz Adriano

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole; Mikel, Lampard; Ramires, Oscar, Mata; Torres