Opinion: Four talking points ahead of Chelsea-Roma

Roma face Chelsea in European action on Wednesday night, with everything still to play for in Group C.

Our columnist looks at four key talking points ahead of the Champions League clash...

Both teams with a point to prove

With both Roma and Chelsea losing their respective league fixtures on the weekend, the two teams will come into their Champions League encounter with a point to prove. While Roma lost 1-0 to a superb Napoli side that currently occupy top spot in Serie A, Chelsea will be desperate to atone their 2-1 loss to lowly Crystal Palace, who were winless, goalless and pointless prior to their unexpected victory over the reigning EPL champions.

Conte's supreme organisation

Eusebio Di Francesco will be expecting Antonio Conte to organise his side into a customary compact and tough to break down block. With Conte having used his famous 3-4-3 formation but also a 5-3-2, it'll be interesting to see what Conte goes with.

Roma will have keenly observed how effectively the pace and individual quality of Wilfried Zaha caused carnage in Palace's win on Saturday, so Di Francesco will look at replicating this. Upon hearing the news Stephan El Shaarawy is recovering well from his injury and should be available for selection, he looms as an ideal option to use in such a way to get at the Blues' backline.

No Kante improves Roma chances

With N'Golo Kante injuring himself while on international duty with France, Chelsea evidently missed his incredible ability to cover space and shield the backline against Palace. Replacing their ultra fit midfielder - who reads the play brilliantly and chimes in with so many vital interventions - is nigh-on impossible, and Conte duly noted what a massive loss he is.

"To lose a player like Kante is not simple because he's able to cover a lot of the pitch," he explained. "But, for sure, I have to think also to take into consideration a solution."

With this in mind, Roma's advanced midfielders and attackers will search to take full advantage of Kante's absence.

Watch for Hazard

Despite being another man who's had the start of his season interrupted by injury, Eden Hazard is now back to full fitness and will be anxious to stamp his mark on the big stage against the Giallorossi.

Full of pace and strength, in combination with his sublime technical qualities, the 26-year-old is undoubtedly one of the finest players in the world, something his Ballon d'Or nomination last week duly illustrates. Roma's backline will need to remain resolute, determined and wholly concentrated to stop him for 90 minutes, but having already kept five clean sheets this term, they'll back themselves to stop the Belgian maestro.

The fact Chelsea's star striker, Alvaro Morata, could miss the fixture could also play a role in diminishing his impact, as the pair have displayed an encouraging relationship so far.