Torres returns to banish Basel blues

Chelsea players train ahead of Tuesday's trip to Basel (Action Images)

25th November 2013 4:40pm GMT

Chelsea travel to Switzerland for a European tie against FC Basel on Tuesday knowing a draw will secure their spot in the Champions League knockout stage.

The Blues can at least guarantee second place in Group E with a draw but victory over Basel, who won the reverse fixture 2-1 at Stamford Bridge, would seal their place as group winners. 
Chelsea responded to that early defeat by going on to win their next three European fixtures and are now on the verge of reaching the tournament's latter stages, one year on from becoming the first Champions League winners to fall at the first hurdle.


Striker Fernando Torres has been named in the squad after recovering from a muscle problem quicker than was anticipated. 
However Brazil international defender David Luiz has not travelled and is expected to be ruled out for one week with a bruised kneecap.

Basel have an excellent record against English clubs and brought Chelsea's 29-match unbeaten home record in the Champions League group stages to an end in September. 

The Swiss club are unbeaten in their last four Champions League matches against Premier League opposition, but were knocked out of the Europa League by Chelsea last season.

Basel lead the Swiss Super League by three points and go in to the game on the back of a 4-1 victory against FC Thun.
Chelsea's 3-0 defeat of West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground on Sunday is sure to fill Jose Mourinho's team with confidence as they target a fourth European win on the trot.