Chelsea come forward again as Cesc Fabregas finds Mohamed Salah, whose cross is past the reach of Andre Schurrle. The Egyptian really needs a performance tonight - this is only his sixt appearance of the season.

Sporting have what feels like their first attack and an Andre Carrillo header lands into the hands of Petr Cech.

A quick look at the stats shows that Chelsea have had 80% of the ball so far. A very frustrating start for Sporting coach Marco Silva.

Brad Remus:, external Hoping the introduction of Loftus-Cheek spells the end of Mikel. Tired of his backwards passing and needless fouls years ago.

Image source, Getty Images

Goalkeeper Rui Patricio goes to his right and Cesc Fabregas goes central. It's 1-0 to the Blues.

Filipe Luis goes past Ricaro Esgaio who brings him down. Definite spot kick.

A long ball forward almost lands to Chelsea striker Diego Costa, but not quite. He will keep the Portuguese visitors on their toes all night.

Chelsea play possession football with pass, pass, pass, pass, pass ending up with Mohamed Salah, but his looped shot from an angle is straight at keeper Rui Patricio.

Chelsea dominating possession in the early stages, although a lot of it has been at the back. Filipe Luis plays the ball to ex-Atletico Madrid pal Diego Costa, who finds Mohamed Salah - who is playing on the left in a rare outing. But it comes to nothing.

Sporting get us under way. They need a point to qualify, will they 'park the bus'?

Looking at Chelsea's team, that's a very strong weakened side! Sounds like a decent atmosphere at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea look to bounce back from that Newcastle defeat.

Champions League anthems time. Not long to go.

Remember it's a huge game for Sporting tonight. We will keep you up to date with the score in Slovenia between Maribor and Schalke too.

Kian Dowlatshahi:, external Why would you start Diego Costa in a game that doesn't matter? Why not give Loic Remy a chance to play?

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea fans might want their team to win for another reason tonight.

Sporting Lisbon and Roberto Di Matteo's Schalke are battling it out for the second qualification spot.

If Sporting pick up a point tonight, they are through and the German side are out. But a Chelsea-Schalke double would see Di Matteo join the Blues in the last 16.

(A Schalke defeat by Maribor will see them finish bottom of the group and not even reach the Europa League.)

Di Matteo made 175 appearances for Chelsea and guided them to 2012 Champions League glory as caretaker boss before being sacked in November.

Image source, PA

Ruben Loftus-Cheek is on the bench tonight and Jose Mourinho revealed yesterday the teenager will make his debut tonight.

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When these two met on matchday two in September, Nemanja Matic's header proved the difference between the two sides in a 1-0 win for Mourinho's men.

The Serbia midfielder returns to the Chelsea line-up this evening, having been suspended for the 2-1 defeat against Newcastle on Saturday.

Image source, PA

Jose Mourinho makes six changes to the side which lost 2-1 against Newcastle on Saturday and rests Willian, John Terry and Eden Hazard.

It is however still a strong team, with Nemanja Matic returning to midfield following suspension and Petr Cech being named captain in his third Champions League appearance this season. Spain internationals Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa both start.

Among the substitutes is 18-year-old midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

A notable absence from the Sporting side is winger Nani, on loan from Manchester United, who has a thigh injury.

Chelsea XI: Cech, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Cahill, Filipe Luis; Mikel, Matic; Schurrle, Fabregas, Salah; Diego Costa.

Subs: Beeney, Ivanovic, Ramires, Loftus-Cheek, Oscar, Remy, Drogba.

Sporting Lisbon XI: Patricio, Mauricio, Oliveira, Silva, Esgaio, Carvalho, Mario, Silva, Slimani, Capel, Carrillo.

Subs: Marcelo, Sarr, Andre Geraldes, Andre Martins, Oriol Rosell, Montero, Carlos Mane.

Image source, Reuters

Chelsea are already through to the last 16, they've already won the group. So this must be a dead rubber with nothing at stake?

Well tell that to Jose Mourinho, whose dreams of going through the season unbeaten ended with defeat by Newcastle at the weekend. He will want a response tonight.

And that's not to mention the Blues players who are coming into the team tonight bidding to start against Hull in the Premier League on Saturday.

Oh and a Chelsea win tonight could be enough to help a Blues legend join them in the knockout stages.

So nothing at stake?