Having clinched victories in their first two home games without conceding a goal, Chelsea FC will be aiming to round off their Group D campaign in style when they host APOEL FC at Stamford Bridge.
While the London club qualified for their seventh consecutive knockout phase and made sure of first place thanks to a 1-0 win at runners-up FC Porto on Matchday 5, APOEL drew 1-1 at home with Club Atlético de Madrid. To overhaul their third-placed Spanish rivals and seal progress to the UEFA Europa League round of 32, APOEL must better the result obtained by Atlético at home against Porto.
Chelsea have already won the group and so there is a temptation for Ancelotti to rest some players against the Cypriots.
Captain John Terry, carrying a knee injury from the City defeat, is likely to miss out even though the problem is responding well to treatment.
Ancelotti also has doubts over Ballack and Ashley Cole. Cole is still suffering from an ankle problem while the Germany captain has a knee complaint.
APOEL coach Ivan Jovanovic believes their Champions League participation has motivated them to repeat the experience next season.
Jovanovic's side are currently top of the Cypriot league having gone nine games unbeaten.
But they are bottom of Group D without a win to their name. The Cypriots have managed creditable draws with Atletico Madrid but a Nicolas Anelka goal gave Chelsea all three points in their earlier encounter in Nicosia.
REVIEW: