Chelsea v Fenerbahce preview

Blues take on Fener at The Bridge

By James Pearson   Last updated: 8th April 2008

Didier Drogba Edu Chelsea v Fenerbahce

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A clean sheet will be paramount for Chelsea if they plan on seeing off Fenerbahce and progressing to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

Deivid's own goal put The Blues in the driving seat in the first leg before efforts from substitute Colin Kazim-Richards and a Deivid long-range stunner catapulted the home side to victory.

However, Fenerbahce are not quite as fierce on the road having kept just three clean sheets from their 16 away games overall played in the competition, a poor record Avram Grant's troops will look to exploit.

Chelsea can also look to home comforts as they have a 10-match unbeaten record at Stamford Bridge in the competition, although they struggled to overcome Middlesbrough in their last home league outing.

Keeper out

Chelsea's preparations for the game have been rocked by the fresh injury sustained by Petr Cech, meaning Carlo Cudicini is set to continue to deputise between the sticks.

Cech was being pencilled in for a return against Fener, but a training-ground collision is set to rule the Czech Republic ace out of action for the immediate future.

Grant, however, is boosted by the return of experienced defender Ricardo Carvalho, who missed The Blues' 2-0 weekend Premier League win at Manchester City.

Carvalho is likely to replace Alex at the back, while Grant must also decide whether to retain Juliano Belletti at right-back or revert to Michael Essien filling in.

Star striker Didier Drogba and midfielder Michael Ballack should be restored to the starting line-up, although Nicolas Anelka will be unhappy if he is forced to make way.

Striker return

The game sees the return of Mateja Kezman to Stamford Bridge, although Chelsea fans will not mind him playing one bit if he repeats his disappointing performance from the first leg.

Kazim-Richards is likely to have to settle for a place on the bench despite his heroics as a substitute in Fener's first-leg win over the Premier League giants.

Veteran Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos is a contender to feature in the second leg having missed the first clash between the sides due to injury.

Defender Gokhan Gonul is available again following suspension while Claudio Maldonado is a doubt due to sickness.