It is a second quarter-final match at Stamford Bridge in four days. Whenever Russian teams roll into Stamford Bridge older Chelsea supporters talk with reverence and delight about the famous first visit of a Soviet Union side, Dynamo Moscow, in November 1945.

That afternoon friendly, unofficially attended by 100,000 enthralled Londoners after entrance gates were broken, ended in a diplomatic 3-3 draw. The English players, however, were hugely impressed by the pace, movement and passing of the Muscovites.

The same assets have been noted in tonight's visitors from the banks of the River Volga. Their arrival on the continental stage following massive investment was heralded by a 2-1 Champions League win at Camp Nou in 2009. Last season they gave as good as they got against Spurs in the same competition before succumbing home and away to Olympiacos. This season they have already overrun Inter and holders Atlético and edged out Spain's Levante.

European champions Chelsea have a perfect record against Rubin's compatriots from the Russian Federation, CSKA and Spartak. Yet, unusually, this is the second midweek match in the Blues' schedule this week and only a brave person would predict the starting line-up bar one or two obvious inclusions. Chelsea have won all four previous meetings against Russian teams.

This is the second time the Tatars have reached this stage of the competition. Next week's second leg will be played at the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, 500 miles west of Tatarstan. Rubin's home pitch in Kazan was ruled unusable by UEFA last week.

Attendances at their games in the Russian capital have been tiny and distinctly unintimidating. With Chelsea likely to have as many if not more supporters in the arena Rubin will be keen to take a positive result into that deciding game.

Formed in 1958, they were promoted to Russia's top flight in 2003 and won their first championship five years later. The Tatars lay sixth in the Premier League going into the FIFA break, having drawn 0-0 at mid-table Terek Grozny. A 2-0 victory over Lokomotiv on Saturday pushed them up to fourth behind CSKA, Zenit and Anzhi.

How impressed should we be by their wins in Europe this campaign? Former Torres’ club Atlético coach -Diego Simeone- has made no secret that the club's priority lies in the Primera rather than defence of its Europa League title.

Atléti had lost the first leg (pictured below) at home 0-2 to Rubin's 10 men (Roman Sharanov being sent off) and fielded a second string team in the second leg. Experienced players such as Juanfran, Godín, Filipe, Tiago, Gabi and Arda Turan stayed behind when they set off for Moscow, with youngsters making up the numbers. On-loan Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois was also rested.

It was a game of few chances in which the visitors dominated possession, Rubin aiming to capitalise whenever possible on the pace of Salomón Rondón. Falcao scored the only goal of the game with five minutes remaining. Again Rubin had a player sent off - towering central defender César Navas.

The Levante clash was a war of attrition with attacks foundering on strong defences. Rondón broke the deadlock after 190 minutes against the Primera's 10th-placed club. Levante were the better side in Valencia, but lacked efficiency and luck in front of goal. Rubin won 2-0 in extra time in Moscow with 1,800 people present.

Chelsea reached this round through a 3-1 win over Steaua Bucharest (3-2 on aggregate), an eventful evening for Fernando Torres who had his nose broken, netted the winner brilliantly, then missed a penalty.

While choosing his team tonight Rafael Benítez has to factor in Sunday's match at home to a relegation-haunted Sunderland side aiming to impress a new manager.

After Chelsea's 21st victory over Sir Alex Ferguson's team and by qualifying for the FA Cup semi-finals the squad remain on course to play 70 matches this season. Victory over Manchester United on Monday meant the Pensioners had knocked the same team out of both domestic cup competitions for only the fourth time since the League Cup started in the 1960s.

The others were Leeds United in 1969/70, Bolton Wanderers 1971/72 and Blackburn Rovers 2006/07. So far over this momentous campaign Chelsea have scored 118 times in all competitions. That is already the third highest goals total in our history.


- Match preview by chelseafc.com (Paul Dutton % Rick Glanwill)