Europa League: Chelsea Take on Shorthanded Surprise Package

Eintracht Frankfurt vs Chelsea

Surprise package Eintracht Frankfurt are still alive in the Europa League. The plucky Germans successfully overturned a two-goal quarter-final deficit against Benfica to reach their first semi-final in European cup competition since the 1980 UEFA Cup.

They will be at home for the first leg as they welcome Chelsea to the Commerzbank-Arena. The English giants had a bit of a scare in their quarter-final second leg against Slavia Prague, but they survived to continue their impressive run in the competition.

Frankfurt will be without a couple of key players for the first leg, which should factor into their Europa League 2019 betting odds to get the better of the Blues at home.

Talking Points

Frankfurt missing key forwards

Frankfurt will not be in the best of form heading into their semi-final first leg. They’ve drawn their last two Bundesliga games, one of which was against a Hertha Berlin side that’s won just once since March.

Frankfurt have actually won just one of their last five matches. Although, that one win was their 2-0 triumph in the second leg against Benfica, which was enough to see them through on away goals.

However, the big Europa League 2019 news surrounding the Germans is that they will be without two of their three key attackers, Ante Rebic and Sebastien Haller, for the first leg. Rebic is suspended, while Haller is still suffering from a stomach muscle injury which has kept him out for the last month.

Those two have been instrumental to Frankfurt’s success this season. Haller has 14 goals and nine assists in the league, and five goals and three assists in the Europa League. Meanwhile, Rebic has chipped in with nine goals and four assists.

Eintracht Frankfurt will try to upset the Europa League odds against Match favourite Chelsea — Luka Jovic scores their first goal against Benfica in the Europa League quarter-final

Having both Rebic and Haller out will be a huge blow for Frankfurt, but at least main man Luka Jovic will still be available. The young Serb has been sensational this season with 26 goals and is tied for second in the Europa League with eight goals.

Jovic has been in a bit of a goal drought lately, though. He hasn’t scored in his last four appearances, with his last goal coming in the first leg against Benfica.

Chelsea’s amazing European form

Much like Frankfurt, Chelsea also won’t be in the best of form ahead of the first leg. The Blues have similarly drawn their last two games. They were surprisingly held at home by Burnley and picked up an important point at Manchester United, although that was aided by a David de Gea blunder.

Chelsea have a couple of injury concerns as well ahead of the first leg. Antonio Rudiger’s season might be over after suffering another knee injury in the United match. Meanwhile, Willian’s status is in doubt after picking up a knock against United.

However, there’s just been something about the Europa League that’s brought the best out of Chelsea this season. The Blues have gone undefeated in 12 games in the competition, with 11 wins and a draw.

Chelsea were admittedly bit sloppy in their second leg against Slavia Prague, which they won 4-3. But that was understandable as they had effectively won the tie after going up 3-0 within 17 minutes.

Prior to that match, Chelsea had allowed more than one goal just once in the Europa League, which came in their surprising 2-2 draw against Vidi FC.

Perhaps part of Chelsea’s Europa League success is due to the fact that they’ve used Olivier Giroud as their main striker. The French forward has consistently started up front for Chelsea and is the competition’s top scorer with 10 goals.

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History

This will be the first meeting in history between Eintracht Frankfurt and Chelsea, who have had differing experiences in Europe.

Frankfurt were famously the first German side to reach the European Cup final in 1960. Unfortunately, they lost 7-3 to Real Madrid and haven’t been able to reach those great heights since.

They will be playing their first European semi-final since the 1980 UEFA Cup. They beat Bayern Munich after extra time in the last four and went on to win the title by beating Borussia Monchengladbach.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have had a more impressive European pedigree in recent years. The last time they were in the Europa League in 2013, they won the whole competition. And the year before that, they won the Champions League.

Betting Tip

	Eintracht Frankfurt vs Chelsea	Under 2.50 Goals @ 1.93
	May 03, 03:00 (GMT+8)

There’s a decent chance there won’t be too many goals in this first leg. As discussed earlier, Eintracht Frankfurt are missing two of their top attackers, which will almost surely see them struggle to create clear-cut opportunities. And even if they do, Jovic’s recent form doesn’t inspire much confidence that he can convert.

Meanwhile, Chelsea’s defence in the Europa League has been impressive and should be able to stifle that shorthanded Frankfurt attack. And since they have the advantage of playing at home in the second leg, they may just decide to play a bit more conservatively in Germany.

SBOBET odds also have a draw priced at 3.25, which is a result Chelsea would gladly take back to Stamford Bridge.