Big Game Focus: Eintracht Frankfurt v Chelsea

Eintracht Frankfurt will be hoping to build a lead ahead of their trip to London when they host Chelsea in Germany tonight for the Europa League semi-final. Bet on the match here

Frankfurt have simply been impressive at home in the Europa League and they will want to give themselves an advantage here. They showed that they can keep things tight at the back when they hosted Benfica in the last round.

Chelsea have an incredible record after winning five of their six traveling matches since the competition began back in September. They have scored an average of two goals while conceding an average of just 0.5.

Chelsea have had an easier run than Thursday’s host since the knockout rounds began and the hosts can take comfort in the fact that they have managed a pretty tough line up to get to the semis.

Betting preview

There have been Over 2.5 Goals scored in seven of Chelsea’s last eight games in the Europa League whilst Eintracht Frankfurt have scored at least two goals in 20 of their last 23 matches in the same competition. There is value in backing Over 2.5 Goals and you can do that at odds of 1.90.

Chelsea have won their last six matches in the Europa League whilst their hosts are undefeated in 15 of their last 16 matches in the same competition. Odds of 2.20 for a Home Win with the insurance of a Draw No Bet promises value.

Chelsea’s Olivier Giroud is the tournaments leading scorer after registering ten goals and he has started most of their Europa League fixtures. There is value in backing him for the Anytime Goalscorer at odds of 3.25.

Team news

Evan Ndicka is expected back from suspension but Ante Rebic and Sebastian Haller are suspended for this fixture for the hosts. Mijat Gacinovic is also a doubt due to a muscle injury, though they there is hope that he could recover in time to play here.

Antonio Rudiger is out for the rest of the season after picking up another knee injury at the weekend. Willian also picked up an injury against Manchester United and he is a doubt for tonight. Ruben Loftus-Cheek or Ross Barkley might come in place of Mateo Kovacic in midfield, with Pedro and Olivier Giroud also expected in the starting lineup.

Possible line ups

Eintracht Frankfurt: Trapp, Ndicka, Hinteregger, Hasebe, Costa, Rode, Fernandes, Kostic, Gazinovic, Pacienza, Jovic.

Chelsea: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Luiz, Alonso, Kante, Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek, Pedro, Giroud, Hazard.