Chelsea
will look to put their Premier League woes behind them as they kick off
their Champions League campaign against Maccabi Tel Aviv at Stamford Bridge.
Jose Mourinho's side have picked up just four points from their opening five
league games, losing three times, and the distraction of a European fixture
on Wednesday night will be a welcome one.
After falling at the last-16 stage against Paris Saint-Germain last season,
the Blues will be targeting an improved performance in the competition this
time around.
Indeed, it is believed the exit to the French champions played a significant
part in Mourinho altering his approach to enable his side to peak later in
the season and therefore be better prepared to compete for the Champions
League at the latter end of the season.
Meanwhile, the visitors, managed by former Blues midfielder Slavisa
Jokanovic, who guided Watford to promotion last season, are making their
first appearance in the group stages for 11 years after beating Basel on
away goals in a play-off.
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Radamel Falcao has a minor problem and will miss Wednesday's Group G
encounter, although his absence is expected to be for one game only, while
playmaker Oscar is available following a knee injury.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is out for around three months following knee
surgery, so Asmir Begovic will continue in goal, while defender Papy
Djilobodji is not in the Champions League squad.
Mourinho may choose to freshen up his starting XI, however, due to his
side's recent poor form and with a key Premier League clash with Arsenal in
prospect on Saturday.
The visitors, meanwhile, are without Israel international full-back Eliazer
Dasa, who is suspended for the clash at Stamford Bridge.
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This is the first time these teams have played against each other.
Chelsea have played two matches against opposition from Israel before,
failing to win either leg against Hapoel Tel Aviv in the UEFA Cup 2nd Round
in 01/02 (D1 L1).
The Blues have only lost once in their last 35 home Champions League matches
in the Group Stage.
Diego Costa didn't score a single goal in seven Champions League appearances
last season with Chelsea after netting eight goals in nine games with
Atletico Madrid in the previous campaign.
Maccabi Tel Aviv are making their second appearance in the Champions League
group stages - the first one came in the 2004/05 campaign when they finished
bottom of their group with one win (D1 L4).
No Israeli club has ever made it to the knockout stages of the Champions
League. They've won only four of their 24 games in the group stages of the
competition, with all four of these wins coming at home.
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