Chelsea keeper Asmir Begovic is staying positive as his side prepare to host Maccabi Tel Aviv in their Champions League opener on Wednesday night.

The Blues have made a torrid start to their Premier League title defence, winning just once in five games, conceding at least two goals in every match, to leave them one place above the relegation zone.

Manager Jose Mourinho and his men have a chance to put their domestic woes behind them briefly, as they get set for their first game in Champions League Group G at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea installed as strong 1.22 favourites to get the win over Maccabi.

Begovic, who is set to play between the sticks for injured keeper Thibaut Courtois, knows it’s been a tough start to their Premier League title defence but feels there is still plenty of quality in the squad at Stamford Bridge.

Begovic, a summer signing from Stoke City for a fee of around £8m,
said: “There’s always going to be a bit of a hit on confidence when things aren’t going your way.

“I think it’s going to make us stronger going forward.

“Something we can’t forget is what this group achieved last year. We have some of the best players in the world and we’re more than confident we’ll get to the levels we want to.”

Maccabi are on offer at 15.00 to add to Mourinho’s problems and get the win in west London, while the Israeli side can be backed at 6.50 to secure a draw.