Michael Ballack faces the axe for Chelsea’s Champions League clash with Olympiacos tonight.

The Daily Mail says Avram Grant is considering a major selection gamble by dropping the in-form Ballack in a formation shake-up.

Instead of sticking with the line-up that destroyed West Ham 4-0 on Saturday, Grant used an experimental 4-3-1-2 formation in training yesterday with Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba in attack supported by Joe Cole.

The three-man midfield consisted of Michael Essien, Claude Makelele and Frank Lampard.

It is understood Grant also used two other formations during the session - at least one of which included Ballack - but the German was left with the impression that he was the odd man out.