Knuckle Down for Strange Game – Spartak Preview

Long trip to Russia, artificial pitch, players missing…and of course, a return to THAT stadium - No doubt you looked away when Sky played the re-run of Terry’s penalty miss (a ghost we won’t exorcise until we win the thing I suppose).  All in all, this seems like it’s going to be hard fought game, get at least a point, and go home back to the comparative warm!

Besides missing Drogba, Lampard and Alex, the media claim that Ancelotti may even rest (or “not risk”) Essien, Ramieres and Cole so we would be left a little thread bare.  The approach in terms of formation could even be changed to compensate.  I won’t be surprised to see us start off with five in midfield and one up front.

Sturridge returns from injury after a few weeks absence as does Kalou.  I have to smile listening to Chelsea fans words of relief about Kalou´s fitness – he seems to have morphed from a “frustratingly inconsistent but not bad enough to get rid of” player into someone that we definitely need.

Spartak have won a couple of games in this group now so will be going all out to get maximum points from us on their home turf (well, plastic turf anyway!).

The good news for us is that one of their most influential players in midfielder Alex is out due to a thigh injury.

So what will our line-up be then?  No idea.  For once Ancelotti hasn’t tipped-off the opposition by naming his side in advance.

"I can't give the line-up because we want to try the pitch before," said Ancelotti.

"If the players are comfortable to play there I will take the decision after the training session."

I think we might be able to assume that a couple of kids will start though due to the injury situation.

As I mentioned previously, I’m not expecting a spectacular game – so 4-3 to Chelsea then!

Chelsea squad: Cech, Turnbull, Ivanovic, Ferreira, Cole, Terry, Zhirkov, Essien, Obi, McEachran, Kakuta, Malouda, Anelka, Kalou, Bruma, Mellis, Borini, Van Aanholt.