Champions League

Preview: Chelsea vs. Benfica

By Liam Apicella, Features EditorPublished: 03 April 2012 2:25 PM

Chelsea will be looking to protect their winning home record in the Champions League tomorrow evening. Here, Sports Mole previews their chances of reaching the semi-final of the tournament at the expense of Benfica.

Chelsea have won all of their home Champions League fixtures so far this season.

If the Blues continue that form against Benfica tomorrow evening, they will guarantee their place in the semi-finals of the competition following last week's 1-0 win in Lisbon.

The home side will have to claim a victory without Didier Drogba, who is expected to miss out with a toe injury.

David Luiz is also struggling to be fit to face his former side because of damaged ankle ligaments. As a result, England international Gary Cahill will step into the breach at centre-back.

Portuguese visitors Benfica are likely to be missing defensive trio Ezequiel Garay, Jardel and Miguel Vitor through injury.

Benfica will have to break a run of five matches without victory against English opposition if they are to make it through to the final four.

Current form:

Chelsea: LWLDWW
Benfica: WWWDLW

Possible lineups:

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Cole; Lampard, Mikel, Ramires; Mata, Torres, Sturridge

Benfica: Artur; Maxi Pereira, Luisao, Garcia, Emerson; Matic; Bruno Cesar, Aimar, Gaitan; Cardozo, Rodrigo

Sports Mole says: 2-1