The Warm-up: Giallorossi fired up for battle of Stamford Bridge

Both sides go into the game unbeaten, with the Blues topping the group after two wins to date. With the return fixture to follow at the start of next month, both sides know these two games could have a big impact on which sides eventually emerge from Group C and reach the knockout rounds...

The pre-match reading

• Eusebio Di Francesco's pre-match press conference in full
• Dzeko eager to make 100th Roma game one to remember
• S quad list: Strootman and El Shaarawy return
• View from the Opposition: The report on Chelsea
• Numbers Game: Key stats to know about both sides

The form guide

Both sides go into the game looking to bounce back from disappointments at the weekend - with Roma losing at home to Napoli (1-0) and Chelsea suffering a surprise away defeat against Crystal Palace (2-1).

The Napoli reverse was just Roma's second league defeat of the campaign, following the early defeat against Inter Milan. The Giallorossi have won their other five games, including notable away triumphs over Atalanta and AC Milan. They are currently fifth in the table.

In the Champions League, a home 0-0 draw with Atletico Madrid was followed with a 2-1 win over Qarabag in Baku.

Chelsea have started the group in perfect form, thrashing Qarabag at the Bridge before pulling a late 2-1 victory over Atletico out of the bag on Matchday 2.

In the league, however, it has been a slightly different story - with defeats to Burnley (on the opening day) and Manchester City (prior to the most recent international break) adding up to an indifferent start for the reigning champions.

The Blues currently sit fifth in the Premier League table, nine points behind leaders Manchester City.

Team news

Both sides are also dealing with a number of injury issues. Roma will be without Kostas Manolas, who picked up a thigh injury against Napoli, while both Gregoire Defrel and Patrik Schick remain sidelined. Emerson Palmieri is still a number of weeks away from a return.

Both Kevin Strootman and Stephan El Shaarawy have returned to availability, however, while full-back Rick Karsdorp is also ready to make his first appearance for the club after completing his recovery from knee surgery.

For Chelsea, the big absence is midfielder N'Golo Kante - while doubts remain over the fitness of striker Alvaro Morata, who missed the defeat against Crystal Palace but is expected to be available on Wednesday.

Midfielder Danny Drinkwater is nearing a return to full fitness, but the Roma game perhaps comes too soon for the former Leicester City man.

The view from both sides

Eusebio Di Francesco: “I believe that every player needs three important qualities: physical, technical and psychological. Of course in these sort of games we have to keep the tempo up and run, because as we know in the Champions League every team has great ability - we saw that also against Qarabag.

"We have to use all our physical strength but at the same time also use the other two characteristics if we want to win."

Antonio Conte: “I know Roma are a great team and I know it's going to be very difficult tomorrow. I know Italian football and I know Italian teams are well organised. Roma have a great coach and they're doing a very good job both with the present and the future in mind.”

Opposition danger man

CESC FABREGAS

Edin Dzeko noted in his pre-match press conference that Chelsea are not exactly short of world-class players, despite the possible absences of Kante and Morata, and that is undoubtedly true. One player who often gets lost in the mix, however, is Cesc Fabregas.

The Spanish midfielder needed a while to convince Antonio Conte of his merits but has since firmly established himself in the Blues' rotation and, with those key names possibly missing, his vision and creativity could be key for the home side.

Fabregas has always had a natural talent for picking a pass, and Roma will have to be constantly aware of his positioning and the space around him. If the midfield can lock him down and prevent him distributing the ball as he wants, they could perhaps find the openings to exploit him defensively - one area where he perhaps is lacking compared to some central midfielders.

Roma's one to watch

ALISSON BECKER

One of the standout performers in the Champions League so far, after his heroics preserved a draw with Atletico Madrid in the group stage opener, Alisson Becker will perhaps be anticipating another involved 90 minutes on Wednesday night.

The Brazil No. 1 has settled in brilliantly to life as Giallorossi No. 1, infusing his defenders with confidence with his ability to pull off important saves at key moments.

If he can help Roma hold firm in the early stages at Stamford Bridge, he may help set the platform for the rest of the side to push forward and test the Blues - who will be slightly edgy after back-to-back Premier League defeats.

Possible line-ups

Di Francesco's preference for regular rotation has been sorely tested by the recent spate of injuries, although he still has some options for this game.

Kevin Strootman and Stephan El Shaarawy are both available once again, although it remains to be seen if they are both able to get through 90 minutes.

Kostas Manolas's absence means that Federico Fazio and Juan Jesus will now likely get an opportunity to establish their own central defensive partnership.

LAST ROMA XI (V. NAPOLI): ALISSON; PERES, MANOLAS, FAZIO, KOLAROV; PELLEGRINI, DE ROSSI, NAINGGOLAN; PEROTTI, DZEKO, FLORENZI.

The absence of N'Golo Kante - and lack of fitness for Danny Drinkwater - means Conte will almost certainly opt for a 3-4-3, with Cesc Fabregas and Tiemoue Bakayoko forming the central midfield axis.

The Italian has a preferred back three, although Antonio Rudiger could also come in against his old club.

The big decision will come in attack - if Alvaro Morata is fit, either Willian or Pedro will likely line up alongside him and Eden Hazard. If he is not, however, it remains to be seen if Conte keeps faith in Michy Batshuayi - or perhaps opts for Hazard as a false nine and plays both Willian and Pedro in a Napoli-esque diminutive, fluid three-man attack.

POSSIBLE CHELSEA XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill; Zappacosta, Bakayoko, Fabregas, Alonso; Willian, Hazard; Morata.

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