Chelsea will look to grab a substantial lead in the first leg of the last 16 Europa League game at Steaua Bucharest when the two teams lock horns Thursday.

The Blues see the second-tier European competition as a perfect opportunity to notch some silverware with their chances of an English Premier League title or Champions League gone, and will start clear favorites against the Romanian side.

"I think it's clear that we will try to progress in every competition, and that the next game is always the most important game," Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez said at his his press conference. "Now, we are here to play in the Europa League and we will try to win, then on Sunday we will be at Old Trafford (to take on Manchester United in the F.A. Cup quarterfinals).

"Obviously, as a manager you have to think about both, but the priority at the moment is this one. So we will put a very competitive team on the pitch and we are sure that we can do a good job. Afterwards, we will think about United, but the main thing for us is to progress in this competition at the moment.

"This is another trophy that we have to compete for and these players are good professionals, who want to win."

Benitez added he will assess the squad carefully before picking the starting XI. "We see the games and watch our players and we decide which ones will play each game," he said. "That's why we have a good group of players, and we have to manage that group.

"We have played a lot of games and we still want to play a lot more games before the end of the season - this is the way for a top side that play in so many competitions. You have to manage the squad and, if we do that properly, I don't think fatigue will be a problem."

To watch Steaua Bucharest vs Chelsea Live Stream, click here.

Expected lineups: Steaua Bucharest: Tatarusanu; Gardos, Chiriches, Rapa, Latovlevici; Prepelita, Chipciu, Tanase, Popa; Adi, Rusescu.

Chelsea: Cech; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Terry, Bertrand; Mikel, Lampard; Moses, Mata, Oscar; Torres.

Prediction: 2-0 to Chelsea