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Ancelotti set to take rotation gamble

Nicolas Anelka was the two-goal hero in the first leg © Getty Images

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When Chelsea travelled to Denmark three weeks ago they almost made the trip as the underdogs. Dumped out of the FA Cup by Everton and with one win in five games, Carlo Ancelotti was expecting a tough test from FC Copenhagen.

Despite all the pre-match hype about Copenhagen's form at the Parken Stadion - they had won every Champions League game there this term bar an impressive 1-1 draw with Barcelona - the effects of the winter break and the weight of expectation seemed to get the better of them.

Copenhagen froze on a bitterly cold night, with Chelsea running out 2-0 winners as Nicolas Anelka scored a goal in each half to put the Blues on the brink of a place in the quarter-finals.

Many managers would be worried about complacency in such a crucial match, but Ancelotti has indicated he will rest players for the game at Stamford Bridge, apparently confident that the runaway Danish league leaders will not be able to trouble his multi-million pound squad.

Chelsea will come up against Manchester City in a vital Premier League at the Bridge this weekend, and Ancelotti feels some of his players will be better prepared by not facing Copenhagen. David Luiz remains ineligible after representing Benfica in the group stage and there will not be a return from injury for Alex, although he has returned to training following a knee injury. Fernando Torres is set to be on the bench after 405 minutes without a goal since his move from Liverpool.

Copenhagen have Czech defender Zdenek Pospech suspended for the match, while Dame N'Doye and Chelsea's John Obi Mikel are one yellow card away from a ban.

Chelsea player to watch: Frank Lampard. Getting back to his best after missing the Champions League group stage through injury, Lampard has scored four goals in his last four outings and eight in all competitions since the turn of the year. Copenhagen will have to be wary of his shots from range.

FC Copenhagen player to watch: William Kvist. Denmark international midfielder Kvist has been impressive in the Champions League so far this season, playing in all of Copenhagen's matches. His form in the 2010-11 season led to him replacing captain Hjalte Bo Norregaard as a regular in the side. He has been linked with a move to La Liga in the summer.

Key Battle: Didier Drogba v Mikael Antonsson. Drogba has something to prove after becoming the odd man out following the signing of Torres. There's no doubt his nose was put out of joint by the arrival of Torres and he will get the chance to show Ancelotti he still has the ability and desire to cut it at the highest level. But in Antonsson, the Danes have one of the top defenders from the group stage. He will have to be on top form to stop Torres from breaking his duck.

Trivia: Chelsea are yet to concede a goal from a set-piece in the Champions League this season. No Danish side has ever won a Champions League game in England.

Stats: Prior to this season, the two sides last met in the 1998-99 season. On that occasion Chelsea won 1-0 in Denmark before the two sides drew 1-1 back at Stamford Bridge in the Cup Winners' Cup second round. Chelsea have lost just one of their previous 25 Champions League games at home.

Odds: Chelsea are at 1.33, Copenhagen a healthy 9.50 with the draw 5.00 with bet365. Copenhagen to lead at half-time and Chelsea to win the match is 21.00.

Prediction: Chelsea won with such consummate ease in Denmark that it seems unthinkable there could be anything other than a home win in the return leg.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.