Champions League preview: Marseille v Chelsea

Chelsea will travel to French champions Marseille on Wednesday aiming to wrap up a perfect Champions League group stage campaign.

The Blues may have dropped off the pace in the English Premier League in recent weeks, but their form in Europe has been consistent throughout – they have won all of their group stage matches, conceding just three goals in the process.

Like Chelsea, Marseille are assured of their place in the final 16, and with no chance of leapfrogging the English champions at the top of the group, coach Didier Deschamps may use the fixture to test some fringe players at the Stade Veledrome.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba will be keen to perform against his old side, while John Terry’s timely return to fitness will strengthen the Blues’ defence following news that Brazilian centre-back Alex will miss at least six weeks with a knee injury.

For the hosts, Cameroon defender Stephane Mbia will miss the fixture through suspension, while Andre-Pierre Gignac is in doubt to play because of a thigh injury.

Chelsea remain without influential midfielder Frank Lampard, but manager Carlo Ancelotti has flagged the Englishman’s potential return for their league clash against Tottenham on Sunday.