Del Horno wary of Joaquín

Second place
The fixture between Chelsea, who are second in the Group G table, and third-placed Real Betis Balompié also features a fascinating contest between the Spanish full-back and his international team-mate, winger Joaquín Sánchez. And Del Horno, who has impressed in the Premiership since his summer move from Athletic Club Bilbao, says he would love to bring Joaquín to Stamford Bridge.

Spanish Giggs
"He is a very good winger who creates so many problems," Del Horno told uefa.com. "He is an expert at beating his opponent and crossing the perfect ball. He is the Spanish Ryan Giggs. He is very similar in style to Giggs because he's such a good dribbler who can go inside or outside his marker and attack goal. I know I will have to mark him closely.

Transfer gossip
"Joaquin knows how much I'd like to see him come and play at Chelsea, but that's going to be his decision and that of the club," added Del Horno. "I hear that Liverpool [FC] also want him, but if it ever comes to it I will tell him to join Chelsea. I don't want to play against him too often!"

Fellow Spaniards
The 24-year-old Del Horno is particularly keen to make an impact against his countrymen in tonight's game. He said: "Playing against Betis is special for me because I haven't faced a Spanish team since leaving the Primera División."

Scouting information
However, Chelsea coach José Mourinho has not been asking him for any extra information about Betis. "He knows the Spanish league perfectly well himself," said Del Horno. "Anyway, there are no secrets about Betis. We know they have quality players and we know they will present us with problems."

Long journey
Despite a healthy start to the campaign, with a scoreless draw against Liverpool at Anfield and a 1-0 away win at RSC Anderlecht, Del Horno insists he is not getting too carried away. He said: "Even though we are having a good season so far I do not dare to dream of lifting the Champions League trophy."

No illusions
Betis striker Ricardo Oliveira will be hoping to shatter Del Horno's dreams tonight, but the Brazilian international, who scored the only goal in the Seville-based side's last UEFA Champions League outing against Anderlecht, is under no illusions about the size of the task.

Special target
"It would be so special to beat Chelsea in London," Oliveira told uefa.com. "But when I look at their team it has no real weaknesses. They are strong in every position. John Terry, Frank Lampard and Claude Makelele were picked for the FIFPro XI, which says it all.

Pacy counterattacks
"Joaquín will be an important player for us in this game," he added. "He had a fever last weekend and missed the Getafe [CF] match, but we all hope he's going to be fit. Our fast counterattacks will be crucial if we want to catch Chelsea out of position and Joaquín is one of the fastest players in Spain."

Coaching master
Oliveira has no doubt that the Blues' coach Mourinho has been a key factor in the Stamford Bridge outfit's success. He concluded: "A lot has been said and written about Mourinho. I don't know him personally but as a coach I think he has to be regarded as brilliant."