Tournaments favourites Chelsea host Frankfurt in the 2nd leg of the Europa League Semi Final for a place to Baku.
The 1st leg was mainly dominated by Chelsea in terms of chances created though Frankfurt had a few as well, however they were only able to come away with a 1-1 draw though getting the away goal and avoiding a defeat may be a result the Blues could’ve taken pre-game, you’d have to say they felt disappointed not to score a couple of more goals considering the amount of chances they created. However given how great Chelsea played in Germany, they should feel confident that they can finish the job in London against this reeling Frankfurt side.
Chelsea and Frankfurt are still the two highest scoring teams in the Europa League with Chelsea bagging 31 goals in (2.38 per game) while Frankfurt have scored 29 (2.23 per game). Expect another entertaining game here.
Chelsea are coming into this game on a back of a very good result having beaten Watford 3-0 to secure Champions League football during the weekend plus prior to that they picked up a couple of decent away draws at Man Utd and of course Frankfurt playing some solid football outplaying both sides so the Blues should be entering this game on a high level of confidence given their solid play in the past couple of weeks and considering they achieved their goal of reaching Champions League they shouldn’t lack any confidence and should play with a sense of freedom. The Blues have only lost 2 of their last 16 games.
Frankfurt have been on a shocking run of form. Just 1 win from their last 7 (3D 3L) and they’re coming off a 6-1 loss to Leverkusen at the weekend where they conceded 6 goals, yes SIX GOALS IN THE FIRST HALF! They rotated the side slightly but there were quite a few first team players still playing and that result really tops off their poor form. Defensively, Frankfurt have been very disappointing in these 7 games conceding 15 goals (2.14 per game). If they want to advance here then Frankfurt definitely cannot afford to play the way they’ve done recently otherwise they will definitely crash out.
Chelsea have been very good at Stamford Bridge this season, especially in 2019. Just 2 total losses here this season overall and ever since 2019 hit the Blues have only lost here once in 16 games (12W 3D) and unlike away from home, they have been very solid defensively at Stamford Bridge conceding just 10 goals in these 16 games in 2019.
Chelsea have won every home game in the Europa League beating Mol Vidi 1-0, BATE 3-1, PAOK 4-0, Malmo 3-0, Dynamo Kiev 3-0 and Slavia 4-3. Other than the Slavia game, they have been very convincing at home in this competition and defensively very good keeping 4 clean sheets from 6 games while banging goals in left right and centre with 18 (3 per game).
Frankfurt haven’t been too bad away from home this season. Only 2 losses from 10 games in 2019 though these loses did come in their last 3 away games in which they’ve been winless. Overall they’re decent on their travels but recently the form has dipped as they’ve lost 2 and drew 1 of their last 3 while conceding 11 goals.
In terms of Europa League away days they’ve been very good winning 4 of 6 beating some really good sides like Lazio, Marseille and Inter, also Apollon with the lone draw coming at Shakhtar and the defeat coming to Benfica. They’ve shown that they can win at a big ground when they went to San Siro and beat Inter after also drawing the 1st leg against them so they definitely are capable of picking out a result in a game like this.
Players to watch for Chelsea are Eden Hazard and Olivier Giroud. Hazard of course the best player by far this season has 16G 15A in the Premier League though he’s normally been coming off the bench and not had much impact in the Europa League you’d have to expect him to start here. Giroud is the competition’s top scorer with 10 goals meanwhile.
For Frankfurt it has to be Luka Jovic. Best player by far for the club, he has 9 goals in the Europa League and has scored in the reverse fixture against Chelsea. If anyone can take Frankfurt to the promised land, he’s the one that can do it.
Chelsea and Frankfurt are facing in London for the first time ever. Chelsea have never lost a home game against German opposition winning 7 of 9 while keeping 7 clean sheets against such sides whereas Frankfurt have lost in all of their last 4 visits to England conceding 11 goals but haven’t played an English side away since Spurs in 1982 which was nearly 40 years ago now.
Chelsea are tipped as HUGE favourites to win this game at 1.37 whereas Frankfurt are a long shot at 8.50 with Draw tipped at 5.25. Chelsea to advance is 1.22, Frankfurt to advance is 4.50. Given how Chelsea outplayed the German side on their ground and have the away goal advantage after the 1st leg game, it does look like the Blues are a much superior side and on current form Chelsea are performing much better, however after what we’ve already seen in Europe this week alone with underdogs, do NOT write Frankfurt off as they have shown this season that they can win away at big grounds if they’re on their game. The odds are based on Unibet.
Team News
Chelsea: The Blues have been dealt with a big blow as N’Golo Kante is ruled out with an injury joining Antonio Rudiger and Callum Hudson-Odoi on the sidelines therefore expect Kovacic to fit in. Eden Hazard came off the bench last week, but with the Blues securing top 4 and the upcoming weekend game not mattering expect him to make a start.
Frankfurt: Frankfurt will be missing one of their best goal scorers and creators Sebastian Haller again meanwhile Ante Rebic is available after missing the 1st leg with suspension.
Betting Stats (UEL Based)
Chelsea have covered 66.7% of their total goal overs at home in UEL this season (4-1-1).
Chelsea have covered 50% of their total 1st half goal overs at home in UEL this season (3-3).
Chelsea average 1.17 bookings per game at home in UEL this season (7 bookings in 6 games).
Olivier Giroud is Chelsea’s top scorer at home in the Europa League this season with 4 home European goals. Pedro and Loftus-Cheek have 3 each.
Chelsea have covered 50% of their Handicaps at home in UEL this season (3-3).
Chelsea have covered 66.7% of their 1st half Handicaps at home in UEL this season (4-2).
Frankfurt have covered 66.7% of their total goal overs away from home in UEL this season (4-1-1).
Frankfurt have covered 33.3% of their total 1st half goal overs away from home in UEL this season (2-2-2).
Frankfurt average 3.5 bookings per game away from home in UEL this season (21 bookings in 6 games). Feisty.
Luka Jovic is Frankfurt’s top scorer away from home in Europa League with 4 away European goals this season.
Frankfurt have covered 83.3% of their Handicaps away from home in UEL this season (5-1).
Frankfurt have covered 66.7% of their 1st half Handicaps away from home in UEL this season (4-2).
KICK OFF – 9th May 2019 – 8pm UK Time
.png?v=1.014689135)
