Chelsea earned a 1-0 victory over the Czech team in the first leg last Thursday. They were made to work hard for the win with Marcos Alonso’s strike on 86 minutes earning the Blues a first leg advantage.The London club’s campaign has been driven by Olivier Giroud who has scored nine goals in the competition. The striker is set to start on Thursday alongside the likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ross Barkley who have both featured prominently in the competition.
Chelsea vs Slavia Prague Match Up
Giroud has been excellent for Chelsea throughout this year’s Europa League with nine goals to his name. The striker’s aerial presence and hold up play makes him a handful for defenders and he is expected to add to his tally on Thursday.
Slavia Prague’s 1-0 loss in the first leg means they have to be adventurous in the return leg. An attacking style could play into the hands of Blues who have enough quality to hurt the visitors.
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Chelsea vs Slavia Prague Key Statistics
- Chelsea have won their last 5 matches (UEFA Europa League).
- Chelsea have won 4 of their last 5 home matches (all competitions).
- Chelsea’s Olivier Giroud has scored 9 goals in his last 8 matches (UEFA Europa League).
- Slavia Prague have scored at least 1 goal in 3 of their last 4 away matches (UEFA Europa League).
Chelsea defeat at Anfield ended a run of four successive wins in all competitions, but the West Londoners are still yet to suffer defeat in 11 matches in the Europa League.Four clean sheets in a row have also been recorded, but an injury to Antonio Rudiger may lead to Sarri having to throw more caution to the wind in a bid to improve Chelsea’s strike-rate in front of goal.
More opportunities have been created since Sarri tinkered with his tried-and-trusted system, but Chelsea are still missing too many chances when they get the ball into the penalty area.That may not prove to be as decisive against Slavia rather than versus one of their rivals in the Premier League, but Chelsea will only qualify for next season’s Champions League if they find a better solution going forward.
Team News
Chelsea will be without Rudiger due to a knee injury, leaving David Luiz to partner Andreas Christensen in the centre of defence and Gary Cahill being handed a rare appearance on the bench.Alonso is expected to return in place of Emerson Palmieri at left-back, while Ross Barkley is in line to replace Ruben Loftus-Cheek in midfield.Olivier Giroud should start in attack, and Pedro and Callum Hudson-Odoi could get the nod on either flank due to Willian and Hazard playing 90 minutes against Liverpool.
Slavia welcome back Soucek into midfield, but that could prove to be Trpisovsky’s only change from the first leg.Petr Sevcik will likely be the player to drop down to the substitutes’ bench, having started just two of Slavia’s five knockout fixtures.