Chelsea
Galatasaray vs Chelsea Preview, Team News, Likely Line-Ups, Key Man + Prediction
Chelsea take on Galatasaray in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie. Here’s a preview with team news, likely line-ups and predicted score.
Chelsea are in Turkey to take on Galatasaray in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.
The Blues will be up against a familiar face in Didier Drogba with the striker now leading the line for Galatasaray having ended his eight-year stay at Stamford Bridge.
The Ivory Coast international’s final act as a Chelsea player was to score the penalty that won them the Champions League back in 2012 but he’ll be gunning to oust them from the competition this time around.
The west Londoners have performed well in Europe so far after topping Group E and Jose Mourinho will hope to go all the way to win the trophy for a third time having already lifted it with Porto and Inter Milan.
He brings his side into the game in excellent domestic form with a narrow 1-0 win over Everton on Saturday ensuring Chelsea remain one point clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Team News
Chelsea are expected to be able to call upon the services of David Luiz and John Obi Mikel despite the duo missing out at the weekend through injury. The pair trained this week and are likely to start in midfield, with John Terry and Gary Cahill continuing their partnership at the back.
Nemanaja Matic is ineligible so Ramires could also come in to make a midfield three but Oscar – who was forced off at half time on Saturday with an ankle injury – could miss out if Mourinho opts for a more defensive formation tonight.
Samuel Eto’o is likely to continue up front with Fernando Torres remaining on the bench, but Mohamed Salah isn’t available having already featured for FC Basel in the group stages.
As mentioned, Didier Drogba will face his former side as he leads the Galatasaray attack along with Wesley Sneijder and Burak Yilmaz – who has recovered from an ankle injury.
January signing Alex Telles is expected to start at the back while Veysel Sari could also be picked ahead of Emmanuel Eboue at right back, but Aurelien Chedjou is set to miss out with a groin complaint.
Likely Line-Ups
Key Man
Didier Drogba: All eyes will be on the powerful Ivorian tonight as he faces Chelsea for the first time since leaving in 2012. Despite now being 35, he’s still a handful and John Terry is going to have to be on top form to keep him quiet.
Predicted Score
Galatasaray 1-1 Chelsea: The Turk Telecom Arena is one of the most hostile grounds in Europe and Gala have shown their a tough nut to crack at home, so we think Chelsea will come away with a very useful score draw.
What team would you like to see Mourinho start with and whats your predicted score? Share your views below.
joseph
February 26, 2014 at 1:54 pm
Chelsea all the way…2-1 to chelsea
Dada Akintunde
February 26, 2014 at 2:22 pm
It will hard,but chelsea will go through
Galatasaray 1,Chelsea 2
sunnykool
February 26, 2014 at 2:27 pm
Chelseafc 3 Galatasary 1
Oleweike Vitus osinakachi
February 26, 2014 at 2:27 pm
We are parying to God to help this club to win tonight
Kingsley o
February 26, 2014 at 3:09 pm
I’m sure that chelsea will won tonight game if they can be able to cage drogba, but i will advice the happy one to use david luiz as defensive midfielder bacause terry can’t do the job alone considering his age.he only offer experience but no longer physical anymore.
Chess
February 26, 2014 at 3:17 pm
Mourinho should play: cech-ivanovic-cahill-terry-aspilicuta-mikel-ramiries-lampard-williams-hazard-torres
Adama Genesis
February 26, 2014 at 3:19 pm
Chel 2-1 Gal
Adejoh ogbadu
February 26, 2014 at 3:23 pm
Pls, use Torres up front
morefy
February 26, 2014 at 3:49 pm
Up blue,pls mourinho use tores
morefy
February 26, 2014 at 3:49 pm
Up blue,pls mourinho use torres
Enowest
February 26, 2014 at 4:03 pm
Mou should start with, cech, ivanovic, Azpi, Cahill, Jt, luiz, Mikel, Ramirez, Hazard, Lampard, Eto
udeme aduak
February 26, 2014 at 4:26 pm
hahaha drogba will show chelsea that he still have football age but chelsea would be through i predict chelsea 3 gala 1
onuba ikechukwu
February 26, 2014 at 4:38 pm
I pray 4 chlc and 2-1 is my predictn. Up blues
victor
February 26, 2014 at 4:41 pm
I know Drogba Well,he is highly emotional to games like this.He will be kicked arround but he will not want to react.
onuba ikechukwu
February 26, 2014 at 4:45 pm
I cn’t wait 2 see our legend drogba but i support chlc all d way. We r d pride of d whole of England nw. Ride on d blues.
Jerome
February 26, 2014 at 4:46 pm
CHELSEA 2 GALA 1
god'swill
February 26, 2014 at 6:39 pm
Which God al tins are posible 4 us.and i no chelsea wil win in jesus name amen