Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Chelsea will go in search of their first win of the 2014/15 Champions League group stages when they travel to Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday evening.
The Blues have been imperious in the Premier League, where they sit three points clear at the top of the standings following an undefeated start, although they were less clinical in Europe two weeks ago, opening Group G with a 1-1 draw against Schalke 04.
Jose Mourinho's side will now be looking to bring their top-flight form onto the continental stage, having dispatched Aston Villa 3-0 on Saturday, making it five wins and one draw from their opening six league games.
Sporting, meanwhile, will also be hoping for an improved showing from their group opener, having been held to a 1-1 draw by European minnows NK Maribor.
They do appear to have history on their side, though, having won their last three home games against English opposition without conceding, although Chelsea have secured victory against the last six Portuguese teams they have come up against.
On the team front, Sporting have no fresh injury concerns to deal with, although new signing Rami Rabia is expected to miss out as he remains sidelined with an abdominal issue.
For Chelsea, in-form striker Diego Costa could again be placed on the bench, with the Brazilian suffering a long standing hamstring problem, meaning Loic Remy could get his chance to impress up front.
Ramires, meanwhile, is facing a late fitness test as he sat out this past weekend's win over Villa.
The Blues have been imperious in the Premier League, where they sit three points clear at the top of the standings following an undefeated start, although they were less clinical in Europe two weeks ago, opening Group G with a 1-1 draw against Schalke 04.
Jose Mourinho's side will now be looking to bring their top-flight form onto the continental stage, having dispatched Aston Villa 3-0 on Saturday, making it five wins and one draw from their opening six league games.
Sporting, meanwhile, will also be hoping for an improved showing from their group opener, having been held to a 1-1 draw by European minnows NK Maribor.
They do appear to have history on their side, though, having won their last three home games against English opposition without conceding, although Chelsea have secured victory against the last six Portuguese teams they have come up against.
On the team front, Sporting have no fresh injury concerns to deal with, although new signing Rami Rabia is expected to miss out as he remains sidelined with an abdominal issue.
For Chelsea, in-form striker Diego Costa could again be placed on the bench, with the Brazilian suffering a long standing hamstring problem, meaning Loic Remy could get his chance to impress up front.
Ramires, meanwhile, is facing a late fitness test as he sat out this past weekend's win over Villa.
