Eintracht Frankfurt v Chelsea
Thursday 02 May, 20:00
Live on BT Sport
Exceptional Eintracht carrying the hopes of a city
At the start of the season, Eintracht Frankfurt ran an event to celebrate winning the DFB Cup, their first major trophy for 30 years. Eagles fans and their families were offered the chance to have a photo with the famous cup. The club had anticipated that around 400 families would show up – the actual figure was over a thousand.
That feverish enthusiasm has been maintained in the Europa League. The home games of the group stage were sold out before the draw was even made, and SGE have taken thousands of supporters all over Europe. The players have matched that enthusiasm with some stellar performances – Adi Hutter’s energetic and forward-thinking team has won all six group games, and seen off Champions League combatants Shakhtar Donetsk, Inter Milan and Benfica since the knockout phase began.
The fear is that a draining season has started to have an effect. Frankfurt have claimed just two points from their last three Bundesliga matches, and their hopes of finishing in the Bundesliga’s top four have taken a hit. Insiders at the club are insisting that accumulated fatigue isn’t a factor, but some of the recent displays suggest otherwise.
French striker Sebastien Haller, who is so influential as a focal point in attack, is still out with a stomach injury. Croatian forward Ante Rebic, who played for his country in the World Cup final, is suspended. That means that attacking midfielder Mijat Gacinovic will play in behind a front two of Goncalo Paciencia and Luka Jovic, who has bashed in 17 Bundesliga goals and has struck eight times in the Europa League. French defender Evan N’Dicka is available after suspension.
Chelsea face by far their biggest test
Chelsea’s progress through the Europa League has been impressively serene. They have leaked just seven goals, are yet to lose a game and have never really looked in serious danger. 16 points were collected from six group matches, and Chelsea have won all six knockout matches against Malmo, Dynamo Kyiv and Slavia Prague.
There have been some key performers for Chelsea in this competition. Olivier Giroud is the tournament’s top scorer with 10 goals, Willian has set up seven goals and scored some stunning ones himself, and Andreas Christensen has been a rock in defence.
This game against Frankfurt represents a huge jump in the quality of opponent, and the concern for Maurizio Sarri will be his side’s inability to win games against talented sides away from home. In the Premier League they have played at Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham, Arsenal, Everton and Manchester United, and have taken just one point from those six matches. That’s a feeble return, and suggests the Blues are in for a rough ride on Thursday night.
Centre-back Antonio Rudiger and teenage wing wizard Callum Hudson-Odoi are both injured, while Willian isn’t 100% fit. Star player Eden Hazard has been used sparingly by Sarri in the Europa League, but he is expected to start.
Frankfurt to ride the wave of fan energy
Although Eintracht have looked below their best in the league of late, I expect them to be energised by the occasion and crowd, just as they were in the previous round against Benfica. On that occasion they produced a 2-0 win that got them through on away goals.
I suspect the lung-busting runs of wing-backs Filip Kostic and Danny Da Costa will cause some issues for Chelsea’s narrow midfield, and although Jovic hasn’t scored in his last four games, he’s the type of striker that keeps getting into good goalscoring positions.
Frankfurt have beaten Marseille, Lazio, Shakhtar, Inter and Benfica so far, and I think they’re worth backing with the insurance of the Draw No Bet market at [2.02].
Both teams to find the net?
Chelsea have scored freely throughout the competition, and the way Adi Hutter plays always gives opponents a chance to counter. The Blues have pace and skill in wide areas, so I can see them securing an away goal. Both Teams To Score is trading at [1.75], and that makes sense.
Jovic to end his drought?
Luka Jovic has been a sensation for Frankfurt this season, and his instinctive movement means that he’s always likely to get at least one or two chances to score in a game. Don’t be fooled by his current goal drought, and back the Serbian starlet to score at [2.88].
I’m a paid-up long-term member of the Olivier Giroud Appreciation Society, and I believe this competition has underlined why he’s such an effective centre-forward. I find it bizarre that he doesn’t get more game time in the Premier League, but he’s certainly worth considering here at [3.4].
Source: Betfair Europa League
