Rubin Kazan vs Chelsea - Team News, Match Preview & Likely Line-Ups

KazanVenue: Luzhniki Stadium Date: Thursday, 11th April K/o: 17:00 GMT

Team News

Chelsea will be without Ryan Bertrand for their second leg last-eight Europa League clash with Rubin Kazan tonight. The left-back, who stood in for the injured Ashley Cole in the first leg, is too ill to travel, and is likely to be replaced by rookie Nathan Ake, 18. Gary Cahill is also out following knee surgery and joins Cole on the sidelines, while Demba Ba is once more cup tied. Rubin Kazan coach Kurban Berdyev has a fully fit squad to select from tonight. Midfielders Alexei Eremenko and Yann M'Vila remain out, but there are no fresh injury concerns.

Key Stats

Chelsea prevailed 3-1 in the first leg at Stamford Bridge last week, helping Rafael Benitez' side put one foot in the last four. The Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow is the ground on which Chelsea lost the 2008 Champions League final to Manchester United on penalties. Kazan only have two victories from their last six games. Chelsea are undefeated in five of their last six.

Likely Line-Ups

Rubin Kazan Ryzhikov, Navas, Kuzmin, Kaleshin, Ansaldi, Sharonov, Orbaiz, Eremenko, Karadeniz, Natkho, V Dyadyun Chelsea Cech, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Luiz, Ake, Ramires, Mikel, Oscar, Mata, Hazard, Torres Now Click "Next" for our match preview.
Contributor
Contributor

Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.