Football - Chelsea v Dynamo Kiev preview

Chelsea v Dynamo Kiev preview

Chelsea will be looking to put their Premier League woes to the back of their minds when they take on Dynamo Kiev at Stamford Bridge in a crucial Champions League Group G clash on Wednesday night.

Another home defeat against Liverpool on Saturday was remarkably the reigning champions' sixth league loss in 11, leaving Jose Mourinho exasperated, and refusing to comment on his future.

Their form in the Champions League has been also been inconsistent with a solitary home win over Maccabi Tel Aviv, a defeat at Mourinho's former club Porto and a point from the reverse fixture in Kiev two weeks ago to show from their three matches to date.

The performance last time out in the Ukrainian capital did at least show signs of improvement, and the Blues will fancy their chances on their own turf, despite their recent poor form.

If Dynamo boss Sergei Rebrov can mastermind his side's first-ever Champions League win in England, then the Ukrainians could top the group, piling the pressure on Mourinho, with a 2-0 weekend victory over Metalist Kharkiv ideal preparation ahead of the trip to London.

Striker Radamel Falcao is out of clash with after picking up an injury in training on Tuesday.

The on-loan Monaco striker took part in training, with Mourinho afterwards reporting the Colombian had a "muscular injury" which would keep him out for a few weeks.

Right-back Branislav Ivanovic (hamstring) and winger Pedro (undisclosed) took part in training and could return, but goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (knee) remains out.

Dynamo, meanwhile, arrive in London at near full strength - giving Rebrov a host of options as he looks to increase Chelsea's pain.