Chelsea look to turn reverse the fortunes of English teams in European competition by taking at least a result from Eintracht Frankfurt. We predict that minimum is possible, because with Chelsea, all minimums are at least possible.
An away goal will go a long way to easing Chelsea’s passage to the Champions League final. Our writers think that is the least the Blues will achieve, if not a win.
Gabe Henderson: Eintracht Frankfurt 1 – 2 Chelsea. Chelsea, albeit frustrating, will be the better side in the first leg. It’s a monumental occasion and getting out to a good start is crucial. Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Olivier Giroud will score for the Blues, but a mistake while tracking back will see the Blues concede on the counter. Regardless, Chelsea will come home with an advantage and with the Europa League final in sight.
Scott Brant: 1 – 1. Chelsea will most likely control possession as they normally do. But they will only capitalize once on their possession dominance. Frankfurt will score from a counter, catching the Blues defense all out of whack. A draw at one apiece isn’t all bad – Benfica beat Frankfurt by two at home in Portugal, only to lose 2-0 on the return leg in Frankfurt.
If the Blues limit Frankfurt’s goals in this match to one, they can comfortably go back to Stamford Bridge. Eden Hazard lately has had a lot to say about Champions League football. This is his chance to stop talking and take a match over.
Karan Saini: 1 – 2. For this fixture Maurizio Sarri’s starting XI should definitely have Olivier Giroud as the striker. His form in Europa league is too good to drop him. Ruben Loftus-Cheek should start ahead of Mateo Kovacic, and the rest of the team should be the same as against United.
Chelsea can see this one through with the quality they have. The only issue is Antonio Rudiger not being available, a massive blow for the defence. Frankfurt’s attack will give Chelsea a tough time.
Barrett Rouen: 1 – 2. I don’t really think this, I just don’t predict losses usually unless I’m in a really bad mood. Eintracht Frankfurt are a better and more cohesive side than Chelsea, and we suck and are now also lacking one of the team’s true leaders so what’s the point. I wish the season was over.
Brendan McDonnell: 1 – 1. Frankfurt’s season looks understandable. They lose to the good teams in Germany and get three points over the dregs. So, where does that leave us?
I feel pretty confident in saying Chelsea is at leas, as good as Borussia Dortmund. Using that logic, the Blues should be good enough to earn a draw on the road. I’d feel more confident had Chelsea not been dealt some severe injury blows over the past few weeks, leaving their best XI short-handed. But there’s still enough quality (assuming Gonzalo Higuain never sees the pitch) to at least hold serve.
Tan Yi Hao: 0 – 3. I know Chelsea are not in a good run of form at the moment and Frankfurt have been one of the most well-drilled sides in Europe this term. That said, Chelsea are – personnel-wise – way ahead of their German counterparts. Yes, Luka Jovic is great but Chelsea are one of the top dogs of Europe and should find victory at Frankfurt to book their place in this season’s Europa League final.
I mean, no disrespect to Frankfurt but if Chelsea cannot even beat them, then what’s the point in a return to the Champions League anyways?
Abhishek Pancholi: 2 – 0. The previous few games have been a case of me expecting nothing and still being disappointed. That looks set to continue, unfortunately. Frankfurt are in imperious form and have lost just once in their last five games. Of course, one could also interpret that as two wins, one loss and two draws out of five, but what’s the use of statistics if you can’t twist them to suit your narrative?
Anyway, despite their patchy form Frankfurt will be too hot to handle for Chelsea. Their forwards know how to stay onside and they know that the ball has to go into the net between the two posts for the event to be of any significance other than statistical self-pleasuring.
That will leave Chelsea facing wave after wave of attacks, and their creaking defence will provide as much resistance as a wet piece of toilet paper against a bidet.
The first Frankfurt goal will arrive around the 30′, scored by Luka Jovic. Any hopes Chelsea may have of getting something from the game will be flushed down the toilet when Jovic bullies his way past the Chelsea centerbacks and heads one in from a set-piece. There will still be time for Giroud to try a couple of his trademark acrobatics to test the ‘keeper, and then miss a simple finish from five yards out.
Kevin Peacock: 2 – 2. This will certainly be no walk in the park for Sarri’s team. The starting XI is set in stone, considering those absent through injury, but who knows how the game will pan out.
We at least know, in Olivier Giroud, Chelsea have a proven goalscorer in this competition. Along with Eden Hazard that ought to be good enough for a win.
However, for a team only capable of playing one decent 45-minute patch of football, the jury’s out. I don’t see Chelsea winning this, but think a high scoring 2-2 draw will be the order of the day. Goals from Hazard and Giroud, obviously.