Benitez wary of compact Kazan

Rafa Benitez has warned his Chelsea players not to take Rubin Kazan lightly when they meet the Russian side in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

The first leg of the last-eight encounter takes place at Stamford Bridge on Thursday and Chelsea's interim manager is only too aware that Rubin are unbeaten in the competition so far this season.

Chelsea are 8.50 to win Thursday's first-leg clash 2-1 and 3.50 to go on and clinch this season's Europa League.

Benitez said: "Some people are saying they are not very famous but they knocked out Atletico Madrid and Levante and they were doing very well.

"It's a tough game to play. People think we will score four goals but I think that will be very difficult. They are very compact, organised, solid and good on the counter-attack.

"They have [Jose] Rondon, who used to play for Malaga, and he is very strong and quick. There is also [Roman] Eremenko and he is a very good player between the lines.

"Maybe it will be difficult here [at Stamford Bridge] and hopefully in the second game we can do well."

Chelsea could play a club record 70 games this season if they reach the Europa League and FA Cup finals. They face Manchester City in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, a competition they are 2.50 to win this season, after beating Manchester United in Monday's sixth-round replay.

Despite losing at Southampton on Saturday, Benitez's side remain in the hunt for a top-four finish in the Premier League, and are available at 1.40 to do so.

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