Chelsea v Slavia Prague Betting Tips: Giroud to send Blues through?
Published:
Chelsea had to wait until the 86th minute to take the lead against Slavia Prague last week. They’ll be hoping to have the quarter-final second-leg wrapped up much sooner at Stamford Bridge tonight.
The Blueswere bailed out in Czech Republic by Marcos Alonso’s late winner. Will they needa saviour again tonight? Or can Maurizio Sarri’s men get things sorted earlydoors?
We’ve previewed the match in our Europa League Tips.
Match Odds
Chelsea’srecord at Stamford Bridge in Europe’s second-tier competition is difficult toknock. The West Londoners have won their last eight at home in the EuropaLeague, scoring three or more seven times.
We’re expecting more of the same tonight, with the Blues priced at 1/3 to win the match in 90 minutes and 1/50 to qualify. Fancy more goals? Chelsea to win 3-0 for the third EL home match in a row is a 15/2 shot.
Slavia Prague are 18/1 on the night or 12/1 to go through, with the Draw at 11/2.
Talking Tactics
All change!Sarri is expected to heavily rotate his squad following the weekend defeat atLiverpool. Antonio Rudiger is definitely out. He’ll be replaced by AndresChristensen, who could partner Gary Cahill.
Ross Barkleyand Mateo Kovacic are in line for recalls alongside N’Golo Kante, while it’s atoss-up between Olivier Giroud and Gonzalo Higuain in the central strikingrole. Willian may also come in for Eden Hazard.
By contrast, the visitors are expected to remain relatively unchanged from last week. Tomas Soucek is the only likely alteration. He’s expected to slot in between Alex Kral and Ibrahim Traore in a defensive midfield three.
Lukas Masopust and Peter Olayinka will be charged with goalscoring duties, although opportunities will be rare with Prague set to soak up pressure and play on the break.
Goalscorer Odds
French ace Giroud has been the go-to-man in the Europa League this term. After netting a hat-trick against Dynamo Kiev last month, we have him down at 3/1 to Score First, Evens Anytime and 5/1 for 2 or More.
Outside ofhim, Hazard appeals off the bench to Score Last at 3/1. Meanwhile, Pedro and Willian both offer threat from the flanksand are 13/10 and 9/4 to get on the scoresheet.
Set-pieces could offer an opportunity for centre-halves, with Christensen an outside pick at 12/1. Midfielder Josef Husbauer has been in decent nick for the visitors and is priced up at 11/1.
Match Info:
Where: Stamford Bridge
When: 8:00pm, Thursday 18th April 2019.
How to watch: BT Sport 3
View the latest Chelsea v SlaviaPrague odds.
All odds and markets correct as ofdate of publication
