Slavia Prague will welcome Chelsea in Czech Republic for the first leg of the Europa League. The Blues will certainly be confident to go through to the next round of the Europa League unless any miracle happen. Chelsea are also eyeing to make a top four finish this season. The Blues are in good form as they have won 3 consecutive matches in the Premier League.
The Blues are clear favourites to win the tie against Slavia Prague. Though Slavia Prague will not wish to lose the tie without any fight and try their best to pose a threat against the west London outfit.
Team News :
Chelsea :
The manger of the Blues, Maurizio Sarri will have to keep in mind that the Blues will have a match on Sunday against Liverpool in the Premier League. The match against Liverpool is going to be really important for the Blues as Chelsea are eyeing to make a four four finish in the Premier League this season. The Blues will certainly hope that they will win this match with ease. So, Maurizio Sarri is going to rest some of their key players in the match against Slavia Praha. Willian and Pedro both were in the bench in the match against West Ham United on Monday in the Premier League. So, it is very much likely that both of them will start against Slavia Prague in the Europa League. Olivier Giroud will also start in the match against Slavia Prague on Thursday.
Kepa Arrizabalaga will keep his place under the bars for the Blues. Willy Caballero will have to wait in the bench for another match for the Blues. On the other hand, Andreas Christensen will be back in the side of the Blues. One of Antonio Rudiger or David Luiz will be benched in this match against Slavia Prague in the Europa League. The pair of David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger will be there in the central defense of the Blues in the match against Liverpool on Sunday in the Premier League. Cesar Azpilicueta is continuously playing for the Blues without any rest. The right back of the Blues certainly need some rest. However, Davide Zappacosta is not fit enough to start against Slavia Prague tonight.
Emerson Palmieri will be rested for the match against Liverpool. So, Marcos Alonso is going to start as the left back of the Blues in the match against Slavia Prague in the Europa League. Jorginho might again be deployed to play as the deep lying midfielder while N’Golo Kante might get the adequate rest that is needed before a big game against Liverpool on Sunday. Ruben Loftus Cheek will also be rested and Ross Barkley is going to start the match against Slavia Prague. Mateo Kovacic will be back in the starting eleven of the Blues after many days.
Slavia Prague :(4-4-1-1)
Goalkeeper : Kolar
Defenders : Kudela, Ngadeu-Ngadjui, Deli.
Midfielders : Coufal, Traore, Husbauer, Kral, Boril
Attackers : Stoch; Skoda.
Chelsea :(4-3-3)
Goalkeeper : Arrizabalaga
Defenders : Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Christensen, Alonso.
Midfielders : Kovacic, Jorginho, Barkley.
Attackers : Willian, Giroud, Pedro.
My Predicted Scoreline :
Slavia Prague 0-3 Chelsea.
