Chelsea welcome Bayer Leverkusen to Stamford Bridge next Tuesday as we kick-off our Champions League campaign.
The German side are dining at European football's top table for the first time since 2005 after finishing second in the Bundesliga last term, although they have struggled for form at the start of the current campaign.
"Leverkusen is a difficult team," said Blues manager Andre Villas-Boas. "They lost some important players this summer, but they have shown their quality in the past by reaching the final in 2002."
The Blues will definitely be without Ramires for the game as he is serving a one-match ban following his dismissal in the second leg of last season's quarter-final against Manchester United.
This is Chelsea's ninth consecutive campaign in Europe's premier club competition, and 10th overall, and while a first Champions League success has eluded us thus far, Michael Ballack believes this could be the year for the Blues.
"There is a lot of experience and class in the side and you have bought very good players, so that is why I reckon Chelsea are always candidates for every competition," the Leverkusen ace revealed - and you can hear more from the former Chelsea player in the match-day programme next week.
If you would like to attend the game, there are still a few tickets available for purchase here.
