Chelsea aim for Champions League success, hoping for volatility to aid them

helsea are looking for more positive signs of life under Graham Potter with a tough test in the Champions League today, away to Borussia Dortmund.

Much like in 2012, there is a hope the more volatile format of European football and offer success this season, with the consistency needed to compete for the League proving hard to come by. The Blues lifted the trophy in 2021, and will need to do so again in June if they are to win any silverware this season.

Dortmund drew with Manchester City at home in the group stage and were narrowly beaten at the Etihad, so will fancy their chances of causing Chelsea problems in this last-16 first leg meeting.

Borussia Dortmund vs Chelsea is scheduled for an 8pm GMT kick-off today, Wednesday, February 15, 2023.

Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park (Westfalenstadion) will host the match.

TV channel: In the UK, the match will be televised live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate, with coverage starting at 7pm.

Live stream: Fans can also catch the game live online via the BT Sport app and website.

Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with Nizaar Kinsella providing expert analysis.

Youssoufa Moukoko was forced off after just half an hour against Werder Bremen over the weekend will miss out against Chelsea as a result. Sebastian Haller is likely to lead the line in his absence.

Otherwise there should not be too many surprises in the team selection, with Jude Bellingham partnering Marco Reus and Emre Can in midfield, and Julian Brandt looking to continue his strong form.

There will be no Dortmund return for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after he was left out of Chelsea’s Champions League squad, with Benoit Badiashile also failing to make the cut.

Kalidou Koulibaly could partner Thiago Silva at the back as a result, while Raheem Sterling is a doubt after missing the draw with West Ham due to a knock.

Goals remain a problem for Graham Potter’s side despite the amount of money spent on attacking talent, and they now come up against a Dortmund side that have won all five of their Bundesliga games since the World Cup.

While there were signs of improvement from Chelsea against West Ham, this is a big step up and they are likely to head back to England trailing in the tie.

Dortmund to win, 2-1.

This will be the first competitive match between the two sides.

Odds via Betfair (subject to change).

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