Chelsea vs. Slavia Prague: Odds, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info for Europa Match
Chelsea will reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League with another win over Slavia Prague at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.
Chelsea vs. Slavia Prague LiVe StReAm
The Blues won the first leg of their last-eight tie by a narrow 1-0 margin in the Czech Republic last week and are favoured to complete the job in west London.
Status as favourites is appropriate since the 2013 winners have the squad depth and match-winners to end Slavia's promising run.
The visitors stunned Sevilla in spectacular fashion to advance from the round of 16, but they are unlikely to keep the Blues at bay for long.
Date: Thursday, 18 April
Time: 8 p.m. BST/3 p.m. ET
TV Info: BT Sport 3, Galavision.
Live Stream: BT Sport App, B/R Live, fuboTV
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has been content to rest key stars for European duty while his team remains in the thick of the race for a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Predicted Lineups
Chelsea Kepa; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Luiz, Alonso; Jorginho, Kovacic, Barkley; Pedro, Giroud, Hudson-Odoi
Slavia Prague Kolar; Coufal, Ngadeu-Ngadjui, Deli, Boril; Sevcik, Kral, Traore; Stoch, Masoput, Olayinka
Prediction
It was far from straightforward last week for Chelsea in Prague. A forward line which lacked rhythm and creativity, was only sparked into life when Eden Hazard entered the fray on the hour mark. From that moment, Chelsea looked more likely to score, and Alonso’s late away goal means it’s a tall order for the Czech side in London.
However, Sparta’s Europa League record this season would suggest that it is not inconceivable. They have won away at Copenhagen, Genk and drew at Sevilla in the last-16. Former Chelsea attacker Miroslav Stoch, who only appeared four times for the club in the 2008-09 season, will also be looking to impress on his return to Stamford Bridge.
In reality though, as long as they are mature in their play and professional in their set-up, Chelsea should advance to the semi-finals. Their strength in depth far outweighs the genuine quality Sparta can offer, and as it has all season, the Europa League gives fringe players such as Olivier Giroud, Ross Barkley and Andreas Christensen a chance to shine – Giroud is actually the competition’s top scorer.
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