Chelsea v Slavia Prague Betting Tips: Blues to stroll into semi-final?
Odds and preview for Europa League clash
Chelsea left it late against Slavia Prague in last week’s Europa League quarter-final first leg. They needed an 86th-minute Marcos Alonso goal to break the deadlock at the Sinobo Stadium.
But having established a 1-0 lead, they’ll be very confident at home against a side that tends to struggle away in Europe.
We’ve got all the odds ahead of kick-off at 8:00pm on BT Sport 3…
Head-to-Head
These sides had never faced each other before last week’s first leg. But Slavia Prague will need a big display to turn it around. They’ve only won three away games in European competition proper since 2005.
Likely XIs
Chelsea: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Luiz, Alonso; Kovacic, Kante, Barkley; Pedro, Giroud, Willian
Slavia Prague: Kolar; Coufal, Ngadeu-Ngadjui, Deli, Boril; Traore, Soucek, Kral; Stoch; Masopust, Olayinka
After getting a vital away goal last week, Maurizio Sarri is likely to rest a few of his stars tonight. Pedro, Olivier Giroud and Marcos Alonso should be among those to come in.
The visitors should welcome Tomas Soucek back into midfield. Miroslav Stoch will also line up against his former side. He only made five appearances for the Blues during a four-year spell in West London. The Slovakian will be looking for his first goal at Stamford Bridge.
Key Battles
Even though Eden Hazard is set to be given a breather, Slavia will still need to be wary of Chelsea’s quality in the final third. If the Blues score once, they’ll have a mountain to climb. Jindrich Trpisovsky’s side will look to keep things tight and nick a goal on the break.
Ross Barkley could be the key man for Chelsea. He’s lost his place in the side to Ruben Loftus-Cheek recently. A good display here could see him starting regularly again. Sarri will want the former Everton man to bring Chelsea’s attacking trio into the game.
Match Odds
We’ve got the Blues as clear 3/10 favourites. They look nailed on to qualify at 1/50 too.
The Czech side are back at 11/1 on the night, or a touch longer at 12/1 to go through.
Another Chelsea win to nil is an even-money shot too.
Giroud is 14/5 to open the scoring, with Pedro 7/2 to bag the first goal.
The former Arsenal man is also 19/20 to score a 10th Europa League goal this season anytime. Barkley could be one to watch at 23/10, while Alonso is a 9/2 shot.
Milan Skoda is the likeliest away scorer at 7/2, with Stoch 9/2 to net against the Blues.
View the latest Chelsea v Slavia Prague odds.
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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
