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LONDON. — Chelsea may be five points clear at the top of the English Premier League and unbeaten in top-flight domestic action this season, but they are determined not to be caught off-guard when they face Maribor in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge tonight.
Jose Mourinho has already seen his side slip up at home in Group G with Klaas Jan Huntelaar punishing the Blues for failing to make more of a number of chances by scoring Schalke’s equaliser in the 1-1 draw in the opening game of their latest European campaign.

Chelsea recovered from that disappointment with victory over Sporting in Lisbon.

But with Maribor having held both Schalke and Sporting, Blues manager Mourinho will resist any temptation to make wholesale changes for the clash.

Saturday’s 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace ensured Chelsea will return to European action having maintained their unbeaten start and five-point advantage in the Premier League.

“For Tuesday I cannot make lots of changes because I cannot break the balance of the team,” said Mourinho.

“I can make a couple of changes. But I don’t think I’m going to have any of the injured players back. I don’t think Ramires will be available, Andre Schurrle, Diego Costa for sure is not available.”

The Portuguese boss added: “I don’t have a lot to change. But I’m going to make a couple of changes. It’s an important match for us to win to finish the first three matches with seven points.” Nemanja Matic, the match-winner against Sporting, is in no doubt of the threat posed by a Maribor side that, on paper at least, should be regarded as the weakest team in the group.

“Nobody expected Maribor to take points off Sporting and Schalke — but they did and showed that in football there are no favourites. So until the end I expect hard work,” the Serbia midfielder said.

“But I hope we will win every game and we will make it to the next round.” — AFP.