Overview

• Chelsea face Bayer Leverkusen at Stamford Bridge today with kick-off at 19:00 BST and live free-to-air coverage on Channel 5 from 18:30 BST.
• The fixture is Chelsea’s first match since their Club World Cup triumph and comes nine days before they begin their Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace.
• Enzo Maresca expressed uncertainty over player sharpness after a three-week break and intends to share minutes across his squad.
• Levi Colwill’s fitness is in doubt following a training knock while Wesley Fofana has returned to training but is unlikely to feature until after these friendlies.
• Bayer Leverkusen have won three consecutive friendlies under Erik ten Hag and arrive as a robust challenge to Chelsea’s late preparations.