Chelsea vs APOEL

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Chelsea FC vs APOEL Nicosia

Tuesday 08 December 2009, UEFA Champions League, Stamford Bridge, 7.45PM kick-off

Chelsea host APOEL Nicosia in their final Champions League group stage fixture.

Thanks to Nicolas Anelka's goal in Cyprus, the Blues emerged 1-0 victors to continue their 100% start to the European season. A 4-0 demolition and 2-2 draw with Atletico Madrid, and then a 1-0 win away in Porto ensured Chelsea's qualification as winners of Group D.

Carlo Ancelotti is likely to rest some key names having already qualified and with Everton arriving in West London the following Saturday, so it is an opportunity for the likes of Fabio Borini, Gael Kakuta and company to impress the manager heading into the Christmas period.

Chelsea have been imperious in Europe this season; unbeaten in five matches and having recorded four clean sheets. Sergio Aguero's two goals are the only ones Petr Cech has conceded in the competition, whilst Nicolas Anelka has scored three of Chelsea's nine goals thus far.

APOEL are on a very good run, and are unbeaten in eleven matches in the Cypriot league. Chelsea are scoring for fun, however, and with Ancelotti possibly resting a number of key players, it could be a very interesting encounter.

Can the Blues continue an unbeaten streak in Europe lasting thirteen months?

Match chat here!

[chrismada9 1,948]

See you all at the Bridge because I'm going to this game! :blue scalf:

[Laylabelle 9,360]

Same in the Shed been aggges

Huge differnce from last year when we were kinda ahhhh we aint qualfied yet!!

Gana be oo game but hey hopfully can end it on a high.Apoel are still fighting for Europa spot so could be intresting and hopfully like said,a few key players rested and give some others a run out

[Kez 2,727]

I'll be there Matthew Harding

[Term-X 7,891]

monumental difference between APOEL & Man-city

kakuta should start this game.

[Ray. 217]

Matthew Harding Upper for me

[Kez 2,727]

Can't wait hope we stuff them see you guys there

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Anything less than 3-0 is unacceptable tbh. The difference in class between City and APOEL is massive, and we've got a big game against Everton on Saturday so we need to win.

[Ray. 217]

I've been told that this should be a comfortable win for us. Let's show Apoel what we're made of. :blue scalf: :champions:

[EskWeston 696]

This game has a little more importance for us now because we need a win to boost us after 2 defeats on the spin..... It is good that Carlo looks to be starting with Kakuta, and also a suprise inclusion in the squad for Ahamed and Philliskirk.... Ahamed has all the makings of being a very good right back, but Philliskirk has struggled to even make it into a VERY young reserves side this season so that one is a big suprise.

[Term-X 7,891]

^ lmao at the purple mod icons

[Drogba11CFC 108]

Expected Lineup (4-3-2-1):

Turnbull

Belletti

Ivanovic

Carvalho

Zhirkov

Essien

Mikel

Deco

J Cole

Kakuta

Anelka

Source: Sportsmail

Edited December 8, 2009 by Drogba11CFC

[The Big Drog 1,110]

Really hopeful that Kakuta gets a start tonight , its the perfect chance to introduce him to Champions League football , also Im optimistic about Zhirkov getting more starts under his belt. I wouldnt mind seeing Drogba start tonight and knocking in a few goals to cheer us all up a bit.

[James 5,201]

^ lmao at the purple mod icons

Forum Mod usernames are in purple so that explains why there icon is purple.

Really looking forward to seeing Kakuta play this evening aswell as some of the other young lads, should be a good evening.

[Blueboy 14]

Let's hope that kakuta is not the only one who gets a run out!

It would be nice to see Borini and Bruma play too.

I'm really surprised by the slection of Philliskirk and Ahamed . If it's true what Eskweston says, it's indeed a surprise that P-kirk is included in the squad for tonight...

Edited December 8, 2009 by Blueboy

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

I won't be able to watch the match as I will be out celebrating me and my brothers birthday, so come on Chelsea and give us a big win

[Badboy 1,526]

Kakuta is getting a start tonight lol hahaha i cant wait !

[the wes 7,212]

APOEL Nicosia atStamford Bridge:Chelsea: 22-Ross Turnbull; 35-Juliano Belletti, 6-RicardoCarvalho, 26-John Terry, 18-Yuri Zhirkov; 12-John Obi Mikel,5-Michael Essien; 10-Joe Cole, 44-Gael Kakuta, 15-FlorentMalouda; 11-Didier Drogba.

APOEL Nicosia: 22-Dionisios Chiotis; 7-Savvas Poursaitides,14-Joost Broerse, 3-Paulo Jorge, 32-Altin Haxhi; 10-ConstantinosCharalambides, 26-Nuno Morais, 33-Chrysostomos Michail, 11-KamilKosowski; 21-Marcin Zewlakow, 23-Helio Pinto.

Referee: Matteo Trefoloni (Italy)