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Chelsea will be looking to emerge from Istanbul unscathed as they prepare to take on Fenerbahce in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final.
The Blues know that they will not only have to cope with a lively Turkish outfit on the pitch, but a hostile atmosphere in the stands.
Fenerbahce supporters are renowned for making life difficult for the opposition and are likely to have a warm welcome in store for the Blues.
Zico's side will be no pushovers in their own backyard, and are currently on course to retain their Turkish Super League title after four straight victories in domestic competition.
This may be the furthest they have progressed in the Champions League in five attempts, but they are unbeaten at home in European competition since Andriy Shevchenko bagged all four in Milan's 4-0 romp back in November 2005.
Chelsea are in fine form themselves at present though, and have moved into second place in the Premier League on the back of a 15-match unbeaten run.
The two sides have never come face-to-face before, but Avram Grant's men have lost just two of their last 10 fixtures on the road in European competition.
Familiar faces
There should be a few familiar faces on show for Fenerbahce when they line up on Wednesday night.
Former Brighton and Sheffield United winger Colin Kazim-Richards could be given his chance to shine on the biggest stage, while ex-Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman will be keen to prove a point against his old employers.
Roberto Carlos is likely to start the game on the bench after only recently recovering from a shin injury, meaning that Ugur Borul will be under orders to provide the attacking threat down the left.
Meanwhile, right-back Gokhan Gonul misses out through suspension and his place is expected to go to Ondur Turaci.
Lampard back
Chelsea will also have a player looking to wreak havoc against one of his many former clubs, as Nicolas Anelka returns to the ground where he picked up a Turkish league title during an 18-month stay between 2005 and 2006.
The Blues have also been boosted by the news that Frank Lampard has resumed full training ahead of the game and is on course to take his place back in the heart of their midfield.
Carlo Cudicini will continue to deputise for the absent Petr Cech between the sticks, while Tal Ben Haim and Shevchenko have both remained in England to continue their rehabilitation from injury.
The Blues know that they will not only have to cope with a lively Turkish outfit on the pitch, but a hostile atmosphere in the stands.
Fenerbahce supporters are renowned for making life difficult for the opposition and are likely to have a warm welcome in store for the Blues.
Zico's side will be no pushovers in their own backyard, and are currently on course to retain their Turkish Super League title after four straight victories in domestic competition.
This may be the furthest they have progressed in the Champions League in five attempts, but they are unbeaten at home in European competition since Andriy Shevchenko bagged all four in Milan's 4-0 romp back in November 2005.
Chelsea are in fine form themselves at present though, and have moved into second place in the Premier League on the back of a 15-match unbeaten run.
The two sides have never come face-to-face before, but Avram Grant's men have lost just two of their last 10 fixtures on the road in European competition.
Familiar faces
There should be a few familiar faces on show for Fenerbahce when they line up on Wednesday night.
Former Brighton and Sheffield United winger Colin Kazim-Richards could be given his chance to shine on the biggest stage, while ex-Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman will be keen to prove a point against his old employers.
Roberto Carlos is likely to start the game on the bench after only recently recovering from a shin injury, meaning that Ugur Borul will be under orders to provide the attacking threat down the left.
Meanwhile, right-back Gokhan Gonul misses out through suspension and his place is expected to go to Ondur Turaci.
Lampard back
Chelsea will also have a player looking to wreak havoc against one of his many former clubs, as Nicolas Anelka returns to the ground where he picked up a Turkish league title during an 18-month stay between 2005 and 2006.
The Blues have also been boosted by the news that Frank Lampard has resumed full training ahead of the game and is on course to take his place back in the heart of their midfield.
Carlo Cudicini will continue to deputise for the absent Petr Cech between the sticks, while Tal Ben Haim and Shevchenko have both remained in England to continue their rehabilitation from injury.
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