Chelsea vs Frankfurt prediction: How will Europa League semi-final second leg play out?
Pedro’s away goal secured a 1-1 draw and the advantage for the Blues the advantage heading back to Stamford Bridge
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Your support makes all the difference.Maurizio Sarri continues his quest to salvage Chelsea’s season under testing circumstances with Frankfurt visiting Stamford Bridge.
After securing an away goal in Germany through Pedro, the Blues can advance by merely drawing 0-0.
An unbeaten Europa League campaign so far, Sarri’s side will hope to finish the job in more style against the Bundesliga side.
Arsenal or Valencia await in the final in Baku, with the Gunners holding a 3-1 lead heading back to the Mestalla.
Here’s how we think the match at the Bridge will unfold.
Prediction
Sarri has slotted in Andreas Christensen following the season-ending injury to Antonio Rudiger and the Dane, despite lacking flow to his game due to limited game time, is solid cover alongside David Luiz.
Jorginho is now flourishing and in the best form of what has been a tricky debut campaign in England.
Eden Hazard could represent the difference here though, a player who could end up on the same side as Eintracht’s Luka Jovic next season at Real Madrid.
The Belgian has surprisingly not scored or assisted in the competition so far (despite 16 goals and 15 assists in the Premier League), but his sensational on Sunday to inspire a 3-0 victory over Watford shows he is in fine form.
You can expect Frankfurt to have joy out wide from their full-backs, but should they sit in deep to make a back five, Ruben Loftus-Cheek will likely continue his excellent run of form.
With a few scares a long the way, with Jovic reminding everybody why he is one of Europe’s best young strikers, the hosts should triumph on the night and secure a slender aggregate victory.
What time is it and how can I watch it?
The game is at 20:00 (GMT), you can watch the game on BT Sport 3 with coverage starting at 19:15.
Team news
N’Golo Kante will miss the game with a hamstring injury, and his season will continuing will likely depend on Chelsea’s progression to the final, with his presence in Sunday’s Premier League finale against Leicester also in serious doubt.
Antonio Rudiger and Callum Hudson-Odoi are long-term absentees.
Sebastian Haller is a major doubt with an abdominal strain, while Taleb Tawatha will miss out.
Sebastian Rode has a toe problem, but will likely play. Ante Rebic will return from suspension after missing the first leg.
Predicted line-ups
Chelsea XI: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Christensen, Emerson, Kovacic, Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek, Pedro, Higuain, Hazard
Frankfurt XI: Trapp, Abraham (c), Hinteregger, Hasebe, da Costa, Fernandes, Rode, Kostic, Gacinovic, Jovic, Rebic
Odds
Chelsea 4/11
Draw 4/1
Frankfurt 8/1
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