Porto v Chelsea preview

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Last updated: 25th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Porto v Chelsea preview

Ancelotti: Will ring the changes

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Chelsea can secure top spot in UEFA Champions League Group D with victory against Porto at Estadio do Dragao on Wednesday night.

Carlo Ancelotti's side currently lead the way in Group D although defeat in Portugal will see Jesualdo Ferreira's side assume pole position with one game remaining.

However, the pressure is firmly off with both sides having already secured their places in the first knockout round with two games to spare.

Chelsea do not have the best record against Porto away from home after bagging just a point in two trips in the Champions League in recent seasons.

An Andrey Shevchenko goal secured a share of the spoils at Estadio do Dragao in February 2007 while Nicolas Anelka's goal gave Chelsea a 1-0 home win earlier this season.

Porto news

Porto's squad are refreshed and ready to go after their Portuguese Cup fourth-round match at UD Oliveirense on Saturday was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

Porto could recall experienced Brazilian goalkeeper Helton, out of action since 8th November with an injury to his right foot, but Ferreira was determined to give nothing away.

"We have 22 players who can play and they will be chosen from the criteria Porto always follows, which is the quality of the player," said Ferreira.

In-form Ernesto Farias is likely to start having scored five goals in his last six games and he could start alongside either Brazil international Hulk or Falcao.

Chelsea news

Ancelotti will ring the changes against Porto with Michael Essien, a two-goal hero in the 4-0 demolition of Wolves, on the bench alongside Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba.

Drogba missed their weekend demolition job over Wolves with a rib injury, but has recovered sufficiently to take his place on the bench with Anelka and Salomon Kalou likely to remain in attack.

However, Deco, Ricardo Carvalho and Michael Ballack, who all missed the win over Wolves, will be recalled.

Carvalho could replace Alex at the back with captain John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic and Yuri Zhirkov making up Chelsea's backline.

Essien (knee) and Florent Malouda are likely to make way for Deco and Ballack to return to Ancelotti's midfield.

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