Chelsea come to the Europa League semi-final second leg unscathed following a 1-1 draw against German side Eintracht Frankfurt in the first-leg. The Blues know that with their solid home record they can finish the job and book their place in the final. Here is the Big Game Focus and some betting tips. Bet on the Europa League here.
Chelsea can continue with their impressive Europa League when they host German outfit Eintracht Frankfurt in the second leg of the semi-final at Stamford Bridge on Thursday. Although the Blues have already confirmed their place in next season’s Champions League, this is a good chance for silverware for their less than stellar campaign.
Frankfurt are having a phenomenal Europa League campaign. They’ve eliminated Benfica, Lazio and Inter Milan to reach this point and shouldn’t be taken lightly. However, the way Chelsea took them apart at home should worry them a lot in the second leg away from home.
Betting preview
Chelsea have a 100% record at home in the Europa League this season. They have scored an impressive 18 goals and conceded just four in the process. The Blues are yet to lose at home to Bundesliga opponents and set a new UEFA Europa League record of 16 consecutive matches without defeat. Therefore you can back a Home Win at odds of 1.35.
The hosts’ five of their six home matches has seen three or more goals scored while Frankfurt’s four of their last away matches in the competition has seen Over 2.5 Goals scored. Therefore you can back Over 2.5 Goals at odds of 1.55.
Chelsea’s Olivier Giroud is the leading scorer in this season’s Europa League, with ten goals, one more than Frankfurt’s marksman Luka Jovic. Four of Giroud’s goals have come at Stamford Bridge. Therefore odds of 2.25 for Olivier Giroud as Anytime Goalscorer look attractive.
Team news
Antonio Rudiger and Callum Hudson-Odoi are both ruled out for Chelsea. N’Golo Kante came off with a hamstring injury against Watford and is a doubt for Chelsea.
Ante Rebic missed the first leg through suspension and will be available for Frankfurt. However, Sebastian Haller expected to miss out for the Bundesliga outfit once again.
Possible line-ups
Chelsea: Arrizabalaga; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Luiz, Palmieri, Kovacic, Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek, Willian, Giroud, Hazard
Frankfurt: Trapp, Abraham, Hinteregger, Falette, Da Costa, Fernandes, Hasebe, Rode, Kostic, Rebic, Jovic