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Chelsea was stunned in a 2-2 draw with Juventus, but they should have no problem getting all three points against Nordsjaelland.
Chelsea's opening Champions League match did not go as planned, even if it started marvelously. Oscar scored a pair of goals, one of them mind-blowing, to put the Blues up 2-0 and start off their European defense perfectly. But Chelsea could not hold on, conceding twice to Juventus and having to settle for a home draw.
Now Chelsea heads to Denmark to play FC Nordsjaelland and because of that opening draw, they almost certainly need three points. Both Juventus and Shakhtar Donetsk will be eying three points when they take on the Danes and Chelsea can't fail to do the same with two points already lost at home.
Oddly, Nordsjaelland will not be welcoming Chelsea to their home stadium for this contest because the 10,000 seat venue is too small. Instead, they will play at Parken Stadium, home to the FC Copenhagen club that they shocked last year to win the league title and earn a spot in the Champions League.
Unfortunately for the underdogs, they don't have a ton of firepower. They looked completely inept going forward in their 2-0 loss to Shakhtar and while they are disciplined in defense, that only gets you so far against a team with the attacking options of Chelsea.
The big question for the visitors is who plays. Cesar Azpilicueta could make his Chelsea debut, spelling the ever-present Branislav Ivanovic, while Victor Moses could also come into the team. Still, Roberto Di Matteo and the Blues can't get too casual because while they are heavy favorites, anything less than three points will leave them a deep hole to climb out of in Group E.
Nordsjaelland injuries and suspensions
Out: Jose Sise (injury)
Chelsea injuries and suspensions
In doubt: Daniel Sturridge (hamstring)
Both teams are relatively fit. Sise just joined Nordsjaelland this season and while there are high expectations for the 22-year-old, he hasn't been around long enough to really be a key figure yet, and his long-term injury will keep him from being vitally important for a while. Sturridge is unlikely to play and considering Chelsea's options, it's not a big deal.
Date/Time: Tuesday; 8:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET.
Venue: Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark.
TV: Fox Soccer Plus (U.S.), Sky Sports 2 (U.K.), Sportsnet One (Canada)
Online: Fox Soccer 2 Go (U.S.)
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