Champions League: Juventus v Chelsea match preview

Chelsea go into their Champions League Group E game at Juventus in danger of being the first holders to crash out of the competition before Christmas.

A win will guarantee Chelsea qualification to the next round so the onus will be on Juventus, who are third in the group, to take control.

Chelsea need to avoid defeat to ensure that a win over Nordsjaelland at Stamford Bridge on 5 December will guarantee they reach the Champions League knockout stages. Win tonight, and they will be through.

KICK-OFF: Tuesday, 7.45pm

PAST MEETINGS…

Chelsea 2 (Oscar x2) Juventus 2 (Vidal, Quagliarella), Champions League, group stage, September 2012

Juventus 2 (Iaquinta, Del Piero) Chelsea 2 (Essien, Drogba) Champions League knock-out phase, March 2009

Chelsea 1 (Drogba) Juventus 0, Champions League knock-out phase, February 2009

STATS…

This is Juventus' 42nd meeting with English sides; their record is W15 D11 L15

Chelsea have won only once in eight visits to Italy, a 4-0 group stage success at S.S. Lazio in 2003/04

Chelsea have now lost three of their last 12 away group games, winning five

ODDS…

Juventus to win: 1.9

Chelsea to win: 4.4

Draw: 3.9

TV: Live on ITV1 at 7.45pm, highlights on ITV at 10.35pm