Chelsea vs Juventus: Champions League team news and prediction

Chelsea come into tonight's must-win meeting with Juventus on a nine-game unbeaten run as they seek to leapfrog their Group H rivals into top spot. The Blues' last defeat came in Turin and they'll be looking to exact revenge upon their illustrious Champions League opponents.  

Ahead of this Champions League clash, we provide all the pre-match information, including what time this game kicks off, where to watch the action, team news and probable XIs...   

When is kick off?                      

Tuesday 23rd November, 20:00 GMT                      

Where is the match?                      

Stamford Bridge, London (England) 

What TV channel is it on?                      

BT Sport 2 / BT Sport Ultimate 

Group stage so far 

It's all to play for in terms of finishing first in Group H as Chelsea welcome Juventus to Stamford Bridge. The Old Lady currently top the group and have secured their spot in the next round of the Champions League as they sit nine points clear of third-placed Zenit. However, they'll be looking to finish first in order to secure a favourable last-16 draw. 

Since Chelsea's 1-0 loss in Turin at the end of the September, they have been nigh-on imperious in all competitions having failed to win just one of their last nine matches, that a 1-1 draw with Burnley earlier this month. Juventus, meanwhile have returned to form, winning their last three having failed to win their previous three matches, losing to Sassuolo and Verona in that period. 

Team news 

Mateo Kovacic is ruled out for Chelsea, but the Croat is the home side's only confirmed absentee. Kai Havertz sustained a hamstring injury at Leicester on Saturday, and with Romelu Lukaku also struggling, Thomas Tuchel is fortunate to have Timo Werner available after the German made the bench at the King Power Stadium. 

Juventus have a number of key absentees for their meeting with Chelsea. Paulo Dybala missed the 2-0 win at Lazio at the weekend and will be assessed, but Danilo, who came off with just 15 minutes on the clock, is absent. The Brazilian joins Aaron Ramsey, Federico Bernardeschi, Mattia De Sciglio and Giorgio Chiellini on the sidelines. Max Allegri started with a three-man backline in Rome, but the absence of Danilo and De Sciglio could see the Old Lady boss revert to a 4-4-2 with former Blues man Juan Cuadrado dropping in at right-back. 

Probable XIs

Chelsea (3421) - Mendy; Azpilicueta, Silva, Rudiger; James, Kante, Jorginho, Chilwell; Mount, Ziyech; Werner

Juventus (442) - Szczesny; Cuadrado, Bonucci, De Ligt, Sandro; Chiesa, Bentancur, Locatelli, Rabiot; Morata, Kulusevski

Key Battle: Jorginho vs Manuel Locatelli

Chelsea fans will have breathed a sigh of relief when Thomas Tuchel confirmed Jorginho came off against Leicester owing to cramp rather than anything worse and with the Blues boss admitting the Italian is OK, the 29-year-old should line up alongside N'Golo Kante in the middle of the park. A key man in Chelsea's continental success last season, Jorginho is aware he'll need to up his game against the Old Lady tonight, with his worst rated Champions League performance coming in the reverse fixture.

Compatriot Manuel Locatelli will hope he can dominate proceedings at Stamford Bridge tonight and while Jorginho endured his worst rated Champions League outing in Turin, the 23-year-old's best rated display in the competition came in Juventus' 1-0 win over Chelsea. Eight of Locatelli's 15 tackles and interceptions combined in the Champions League this season were in that victory and another all-action display is required from Locatelli if Juventus are to end Chelsea's current run.

Score Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Juventus