The Blues are one of the favorites to win the tournament
according to leading sportsbooks. Can Maurizio Sarri’s side continue their
Europa League form against the Europa League’s surprise team?
Slavia Praha have been the surprise package in the Europa
League. They finished second in Group C behind Zenit St. Petersburg with 10
points from 18. Slavia Praha then overcame Belgian club Genk in the last 32
before topping Spain’s Sevilla in the most exciting tie of the last 16. Slavia
Praha gained an away draw before taking Sevilla to extra-time and winning in
dramatic fashion, 4-3, at home in the second leg.
Chelsea won’t be as open at the back as Sevilla were in the
previous round. Sarri’s side has conceded a mere three goals in the tournament
thus far. Chelsea have allowed just one score in the knockout stages. That goal
was conceded against Malmo in the last 32.
Striker Olivier Giroud has been stellar in the Europa League
scoring nine goals. Although he has tallied just two goals in the Premier
League, Giroud has got an extended run in the starting XI. It has allowed
Giroud to once again show his high-quality goalscoring ability.
Sarri will most likely rotate his squad following Chelsea’s
2-0 win on Monday night against West Ham. Eden Hazard scored twice in the
match, but it is unlikely he will play against Slavia. Hazard has played less
than 30 minutes during Chelsea’s Europa League campaign.
Chelsea left-back Marcos Alonso has been struggling with a
hamstring injury, but could return for the fixture. Ruben Loftus-Cheek is in
good form but also suffering from a knock. He is expected to play while Ross
Barkley may miss out due to a back problem.
Slavia Praha manager Jindrich Trpisovsky doesn’t have any
new injury issues going into the fixture.
Slavia Praha are undefeated in their last six Czech league
games and they have kept three clean sheets during that run. Slavia Praha won
5-1 at the weekend against city rivals Dukla Praha in the build-up to Thursday
night.
Although Slavia Praha have played well in the tournament
thus far, the Czech side hasn’t played a team of Chelsea’s quality. Sarri has
the ability to bring a number of stars into the team despite knocks to some of
his players. With Giroud scoring goals galore in the tournament, Chelsea will
get a big win in the first leg away from home.
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