Rubin Kazan v. Chelsea: 5 Players to Watch in Europa League battle

A Chelsea flag is waved during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 second leg match (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

Last Thursday in London, Chelsea were able to take advantage of a number of Rubin Kazan mistakes and jump out to a 3-1 lead in their two-game quarterfinal match-up in the Europa League. While the away goal scored by Bibras Natkho of Rubin Kazan could prove to be pivotal for the overall outcome of the fixture, Chelsea have control of the tie and if they continue to play as they have of late, the contest will be tough to overturn for the Russian side. With the game being moved from Kazan to Moscow due to weather and pitch issues, both teams will fins themselves playing an away game on Thursday.

The Blues will not have their full complement of players available for selection in Moscow on Thursday as Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole and the long-injured Oriel Romeu have been ruled out. Cole’s understudy, Ryan Bertrand, has been suffering from illness and has been ruled out as well, leaving Chelsea with an issue at left back.

Yann M’Vila and Alexi Eremenko have been ruled out for Rubin Kazan.

Here are five players to watch in the match at the Luzhniki Stadium on Thursday.