MY ACCOUNT
Bottom face top in Group E on Wednesday, with Chelsea still looking for their first European win of the season on Matchday 3.
In contrast, AC Milan head to Stamford Bridge unbeaten in their opening two group games after a draw in Salzburg and home victory over Dinamo Zagreb.
To add extra spice to the occasion, two former Blues stars will return with the Rossoneri, with Olivier Giroud and Fikayo Tomori back at the Bridge.
Team news
Chelsea have been boosted by the news that three key players are back in training, with N’Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy and Marc Cucurella returning on Tuesday.
Goalkeeper Mendy has missed the last three games with a knee injury, while Kante has not played since suffering a hamstring issue against Tottenham on August 14, so the match on Wednesday may come too soon.
Defender Cucurella has recovered from the illness that led to him missing the Palace game and should be involved in the matchday squad.
Meanwhile, the visitors will be without long-term injury victims Davide Calabria and Alexis Saelemaekers, while a late decision will be made on the fitness of Brazilian forward Junior Messias.
On-loan Barcelona man Sergino Dest could make his first start of the season, potentially on the right-hand side of the defence.
The stats
Surprisingly, it has been 23 years since the two teams met in Europe with both group games finishing in draws, including a 0-0 at Stamford Bridge back in September 1999.
Chelsea have recorded just three wins in their last eight games in all competitions, but they do head into this clash off the back of a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
It is also worth noting that the Blues have not lost on home soil this season, with two wins and two draws in their four fixtures at the Bridge.
Milan are currently sat fifth in Serie A and also go into the game following an away win, after their 3-1 success at Empoli.
Stefano Pioli’s men are looking to improve on a poor recent away record in Europe, with just one win in their last four Champions League games.
Prediction
Graham Potter takes charge of just his third game as Chelsea boss and will be well aware that things need to improve at the back.
The Blues have kept just one clean sheet in their nine competitive games this season and they have conceded five goals in four home games to date.
Chelsea have lost just three of their last 15 Champions League home games though and a win looks a must for their hopes of qualifying from Group E.
Milan, with their injury problems, would consider a draw to be a good result but their usual defensive resolve has not been there in recent weeks.
The Serie A giants have conceded eight goals in their last six games, with no clean sheet since August 30 and the key absentees could have a major impact on Wednesday night.
