Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match between Chelsea and Schalke 04 in the Champions League.

After they bowed out at the semi-final to Atletico Madrid last season, it's time for Chelsea to return to the Champions League as they look to win Europe's premier competition for a second time in three years. It's fair to say that the draw has been kind to the Blues, but they still have to go out there and get the points on the board, and Jose Mourinho will be hoping that starts tonight against Schalke 04.

The team news is already in from Stamford Bridge, and given that there is some pretty significant changes in the Chelsea lineup (hint - one of them is in the picture above), we will crack on.

CHELSEA XI: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Filipe Luis; Matic, Fabregas; Ramires, Willian, Hazard; Drogba

CHELSEA SUBSTITUTES: Cech, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Mikel, Oscar, Remy, Costa

For the first time since Chelsea's Champions League final win over Bayern Munich in 2012, striker Didier Drogba is named in a Blues' starting lineup. The Ivorian has been struggling with an ankle problem but he is fit enough to take his place in attack at the expense of in-form forward Diego Costa, who has been relegated to the substitutes' bench as Jose Mourinho begins to think about Sunday's match at Manchester City.

Mourinho has made three further changes to the team that started against Swansea City at the weekend. Filipe Luis is handed his full debut at left-back while Brazilian duo Ramires and Willian also come into the team. Cesar Azpilicueta and Oscar have dropped to the bench, with Andre Schurrle missing out altogether.

SCHALKE 04 XI: Fahrmann; Hoger, Ayhan, Neustadter, Fuchs; Boateng, Aogo, Sam, Meyer, Draxler; Huntelaar

SCHALKE 04 SUBSTITUTES: Wetklo, Friedrich, Clemens, Choupo-Moting, Obasi, Barnetta, Avdijaj

As far as Schalke 04 are concerned, it was already known that a number of players were absent from their squad, including captain Benedikt Howedes and winger Jefferson Farfan, but the Bundesliga outfit are still able to boast Julian Draxler and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in their attack.

So then Chelsea fans, what do we make of that? It had been suggested that Diego Costa, who has seven goals in four Premier League starts, would be rested, so the inclusion of Didier Drogba is perhaps no surprise, but what could be considered a shock is that Jose Mourinho hasn't given Petr Cech 90 minutes of competitive action after being frozen out in the Premier League. First-choice stopper Thibaut Courtois hasn't done anything wrong during the opening month of the season but this seemed like an ideal time to keep Cech involved and he must be disappointed to remain on the bench.

Tonight will also gives Blues' fans a first proper look at Filipe Luis. The defender was given some token minutes at Everton a few weeks ago, but we will get the chance this evening to stake his claim for a first-team spot. He's need a solid performance otherwise it could be pretty difficult to dislodge Cesar Azpilicueta.

Tonight's encounter represents the fifth time that these two teams have met, and so far, it's been one-way traffic in Chelsea's favour. The Stamford Bridge outfit have won three and drew the other, but the most telling stat is that they have yet to concede a goal to the German side. I'm trying not to put the mockers on that streak...

One statistic that could encourage Schalke 04 supporters is that they were victorious on their last visit to England, and to be more specific, London. On October 24, 2012, the Bundesliga side won 2-0 against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium thanks to a couple of goals in the final 15 minutes. However, that was the first success on British soil in six attempts.

Much is already known about how Chelsea have fared during the opening four weeks of the season, but how about Schalke? It's not been a great start for Jens keller's team, who are yet to record a victory or clean sheet this season. However, the one match that they did avoid defeat in came at home to Bayern Munich, so it hasn't been a completely disheartening start.

PREDICTION! On paper, Chelsea are the overwhelming favourites but given the changes to their side, a couple of players might be lacking in match sharpness and that could ensure that the result is a lot closer than many would expect. However, after a tight first 45 minutes, I expect the West Londoners to take control and win by a two-goal margin. Chelsea to win 2-0.

Before we get started at Stamford Bridge, I should let you know that you are also able to follow the other seven Champions League fixtures that are taking place this evening. Two that might catch your eye are the clashes between Maribor and Sporting Lisbon, who are the other teams competing in this group, as well as Manchester City's trip to play Bayern Munich in Germany.

The remainder of tonight's commentaries can be found by clicking here.

The two teams are lined up in the tunnel. It's looks like John Terry and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar are ready to lead their respective sides out to a vibrant atmosphere at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea get us underway in West London.

It's a fast start from Chelsea who spray the ball around at will before Willian made inroads in the final third. However, Eden Hazard and Filipe Luis fail to link up on the left and Schalke manage to reclaim the ball.

Schalke have barely had a kick so far, and it's allowing Chelsea to build a head of steam in the middle of the pitch before attempting to find the killer pass. A through ball from Ramires to Didier Drogba just fails to come off on this occasion.

Schalke finally gain a bit of possession and they do well to create an opportunity for Sidney Sam on the right-hand side of the pitch but after cutting inside onto his left foot, the German directed his shot towards the corner flag.

CHANCE! The ball is worked out to the left flank where Didier Drogba is waiting, and the Ivorian wastes little time before delivering a cross into the box that finds Ramires, but after the midfielder switched the ball to his left foot, his tame shot rolled into the hands of the goalkeeper.

Chelsea have the lead at Stamford Bridge, but it has come in controversial circumstances. Cesc Fabregas appears to go in late on Max Meyer that leaves the German on the deck, but the referee lets play continue and after biding his time, Eden Hazard played the ball into the path of the onrushing Fabregas who forced the ball into the net from 10 yards.

Schalke 04 are fuming with the referee's decision to not award them a foul and they have every right to be. It's poor from the man in the middle. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar was booked for his protests.

Chelsea are already pushing for a second and it nearly comes through Eden Hazard. After the ball was given to the Belgian on the left, he stormed forward before cutting inside onto his right foot but his well-hit shot was well blocked by a defender.

Schalke are there for the taking at the back. After a last-ditch tackle prevents Didier Drogba from getting a shot in on goal, Nemanja Matic was inches away from making contact with a corner as the German side struggled to clear.

SHOT! Schalke respond by going up the other end to register their first shot on target. Sidney Sam was given plenty of space on the edge of the penalty area but he could only drive his 20-yard strike straight at Thibaut Courtois.

You could drive several of Jose Mourinho's buses through Schalke's defence at the minute. They are all over the place, and Eden Hazard should have done much better when given the freedom of the penalty area, but he and Didier Drogba ran into each other and the move broke down.

BOOKING! Kevin-Prince Boateng likes a volley - he sees two blocked in the space of 30 seconds - but he also likes a card and he is booked for cynically blocking Eden Hazard on the halfway line.

Chelsea seem happy to play the ball long to Didier Drogba whenever possible, and he is easily getting the better of Kaan Ayhan who is nearly half his age. If Chelsea can target that ball with the Ivorian in the penalty area, they could establish firm control in this match.

CHANCE! What was I saying? Filipe Luis provides the perfect cross for Didier Drogba to jump above the defence from 12 yards out, but his powerful header is straight at Ralf Fahrmann.

As this half has wore on, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has become more of a threat and the ball nearly finds the Dutchman who had escaped the attentions of John Terry. Chelsea need to keep their focus because the 31-year-old has the quality to change this match.

CHANCE! Oh dear, it even happens to the best of them. Branislav Ivanovic does superbly to pull the ball back on the right byline for Cesc Fabregas, who is in acres of space on the penalty spot. However, he somehow manages to find the stands with his first-time effort. It's a shocking miss.

SAVE! That reprieve has re-energised Schalke 04 and they bring a super save out of Thibaut Courtois. The ball was given to Kevin-Prince Boateng on the edge of the penalty area and his venomous striker forced the Belgian stopper to tip the ball wide for a corner.

This is turning into a decent game of football. Chelsea bossed the opening exchanges, but slowly but surely, Schalke are having some joy in the final third. Chelsea can't avoid to be complacent.

CHANCE! Schalke come so close to an equaliser! Julian Draxler twisted and turned his way through the Chelsea defence before dragging his left-foot shot across goal and marginally wide of the far post. That's a huge let-off for the home side.

The half-time whistle has been blown at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea have just about hung on to their 1-0 advantage. It's clear to see at times that they have more than enough to score more goals against a make-shift backline but so far, they are failing to do so and Schalke have come close to taking advantage. We have an interesting second half coming up!

Rather surprisingly, apart from the scoreline, it's Schalke who are ahead on the stats. They've had 51% of possession compared to Chelsea's 49% while they have created 10 opportunities on goal to their opponent's six. They definitely have the potential to cause a surprise after the break.

With several of Chelsea's players having not played 90 minutes this season, it remains to be seen who Jose Mourinho will choose to replace in the second half. He could hold fire for now, but the likes of Didier Drogba might not see past the 70-minute mark.

We are back underway at Stamford Bridge

Like at the start of the first half, Chelsea are soon on the attack with Eden Hazard the main threat but all too often in this match, the Belgian has failed to provide an end product. The attack that followed saw Willian drill the ball across the six-yard area but it just evades Didier Drogba who was waiting in the middle.

Most of Chelsea's attacks in the first half started on the left, but the action has, so far at least, switched to the right where Willian is having plenty of the ball. Perhaps it is a tactic to give Eden hazard a breather incase he is required to work his magic in the last quarter of the match.

CHANCE! Chelsea break sharply through Eden Hazard, who links up with Didier Drogba before having the ball played back to him around 25 yards out. He bides his time to create a bit of space, but when he does shoot, he can't find the target as his strike misses the top corner by three yards.

We are 57 minutes into this match but the referee has only just decided that Cesc Fabregas is wearing a piece of jewellery that he doesn't approve of.

CHANCE! Chelsea squander another chance to put this game to bed. Eden Hazard plays a delightful ball over the top of the Schalke defence for Didier Drogba to latch on to, but after advancing into the penalty area, he can only drag his shot wide of the far post.

And that is what happens when you fail to take your chances. After Cesc Fabregas is dispossessed in the middle of the pitch, Schalke break forward before the ball finds the feet of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. The Dutchman holds onto the ball before drifting inside of the penalty and firing a low shot into the corner of the net from 14 yards. It's a super finish.

Jose Mourinho isn't waiting any time in refreshing his team in the aftermath of that goal. Oscar is be readied to enter the action.

CHANCE! Didier Drogba hasn't looked that sharp in front of goal tonight and another chance has gone begging as we approach the final 20 minutes. Willian found the Ivorian around 14 yards from goal, but his first-time shot was sent over the crossbar.

SHOT! Julian Draxler has been superb in this second half and he almost gives Schalke the lead. After turning sharply past Nemanja Matic, he accelerated towards goal before driving a 20-yard shot on goal that Thibaut Courtois had to punched clear.

SUBSTITUTIONS! We are about to see three substitutions, two for Chelsea and one for Schalke. Diego Costa and Loic Remy have replaced Didier Drogba and Willian, while Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has come on for Max Meyer.

CHANCE! Loic Remy's first involvement is to win a free kick on the left of the penalty area and Cesc Fabregas is standing over the ball. The Spaniard's set piece is cleared to Remy who blasts the ball on goal but it's a fine headed clearance on the line from Roman Neustadter.

We are into the final 10 minutes at Stamford Bridge and the result of this match is very much in the balance. Schalke are not settling for a point, and Chelsea need to find a balance between pushing for the win and ensuring that they don't lose.

CHANCE! Loic Remy has done well since his introduction and he helps get the ball into the box from the left. After a deflection, it finds Eden Hazard but his volley is fired a couple of yards over the crossbar. He should have at least hit the target.

CHANCE! Chelsea are really pushing now. Cesc Fabregas floats a beautiful pass over to the advancing Hazard, but he can only get a toe to the ball and Ralf Fahrmann is able to keep the ball out from close range.

Chelsea are continuing to probe but Schalke look comfortable with 10 men behind the ball. Can the Blues find a winner from somewhere?

A Filipe Luis cross is sent into the right area but Schalke manage to clear for a corner. From Cesc Fabregas's delivery, John Terry's floated header is cleared off the line. There will be three minutes of added-on time.

Chelsea are huffing and puffing but they can't blow the Schalke house down. One minute to go.

The full-time whistle has gone at Stamford Bridge and Schalke 04 have held on for a priceless point. Overall, Chelsea had the better of the chances, but they can have no complaints. Still, it's a point on the board and they will still be confident of easing through the group.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this evening, and we hope that you stick around for all of the reaction from all eight games. Goodbye for now.