Europa League fixtures preview: Rubin Kazan vs Chelsea

Chelsea have beaten Rubin 3-1 at Stamford Bridge and anything other a major upset will allow them making it through to the Europa League semi-final to face either rivals Tottenham or Basel.

Moses’ strike and a brace from Torres helped the Blues to a 3-1 victory, which proved rather a one-sided affair. Meanwhile Russians will try and score two goals which will be enough for them to progress, provided that Chelsea players fail to convert their chances into goals.

Rubin Kazan team news:

Rubin have no serious injuries to be concerned with. Either Dyadyun or Rondon expected to play up front, while Navas, Sharonov and Marcano set to compete for two places in the centre of Rubin defense. Kuzmin will likely replace Karadeniz in the right midfield position.

Rubin Kazan recent form:

Rubin are sitting in the fourth place, 4 points behind third-placed Anzhi and one point ahead of Dinamo. They have not recorded a loss in their past four domestic clashes, holding to a scoreless draw Kuban in their last game. Kazan side have also managed to secure impressive victories over moneybags Zenit St.Petersburg and Lokomotiv Moscow.

Chelsea team news:

Benitez faces selection headache with Ashley Cole (hamstring), Gary Cahill (knee) and Ryan Bertrand (virus) sidelined with injuries. Either Nathan Ake or Paulo Ferreira are expected to fill in left-back position.

With Demba Ba being ineligible, Fernando Torres will start again as Chelsea only forward. Juan Mata, Ramires and David Luiz are set to be rested by Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez, with Lampard, Terry, Moses replacing them in the starting XI.

Chelsea recent form:

Chelsea have been struggling against the lower-profile teams recently, - for example they suffered a 2-1 defeat against modest Southampton on March 30. The complacency against Rubin may prove costly for them.

At the same time The Blues have recorded three wins in their last three games. They have beaten Man Utd 1-0 in their FA Cup quarterfinal replay, followed by 3-1 win over Rubin last Thursday and somewhat lucky 3-1 victory over Di Canio’s Sunderland on Sunday. The result saw them moving to a third spot in Premier League table, where they outstrip Tottenham on goals difference with a game in hand and are seven points behind Man City.