This Europa League (EL) semi-final sees the two highest scoring sides in the competition go head-to-head, as Eintracht Frankfurt (28 goals) welcome Chelsea (30) for the first leg in Germany. Notably, this is the first meeting between these sides in European competition.
Despite winning just one of their last five in all competitions (W1, D2, L2), Frankfurt were unbeaten in 15 matches prior (W9, D6). The German outfit have lost each of their three previous two-legged UEFA affairs vs English opposition, but are unbeaten in five of six previous European home games against English teams (W2, D3, L1).
Frankfurt’s recent defeat to Benfica was only their second ever in the EL (W16, D4, L2), and the ‘Eagles’ have never lost a home game in the competition (W9, D2). However, each of Chelsea’s last two trips to Germany saw sizeable victories over Schalke (8-0 aggregate) – although they do have a negative overall record on German soil (W3, D2, L4).
Chelsea are currently level with the EL record for consecutive unbeaten matches (W14, D1), with the only draw coming away to Videoton. Additionally, four of Chelsea’s five EL away victories this season came by a single-goal margin, with three of those ending 1-0 to the ‘Pensioners’.
Players to watch: Both of the competition’s top-scorers ply their trade for these clubs, with Frankfurt’s Luka Jović (eight goals) just two behind Chelsea’s Olivier Giroud (ten) – 62.5% of Jović’s goals arrived before half-time, whilst Giroud scored a hat-trick in the R16 away leg.
Stat attack: Frankfurt are the worst-disciplined EL side based on ‘booking points’ (29 yellow cards, three red).
Frankfurt have scored two or more goals in 19 of their last 22 EL outings.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have scored at least twice in seven of their last eight EL matches.
Chelsea average the highest overall EL possession (63.5%) and are joint-third for shots per match (16.8).
Will not play
Rebic A.
(Yellow Cards)
Ampadu E.
(Lower Back Injury)
Tawatha T.
(Ankle Injury)
Cahill G.
(Achilles Tendon Injury)
Hudson-Odoi C.
(Achilles Tendon Injury)
Rudiger A.
(Knee Injury)
van Ginkel M.
(Knee Injury)
Questionable
Gacinovic M.
(Muscle Injury)
Haller S.
(Abdominal strain)
Stendera M.
(Back Injury)
Match Information
Referee: Del Cerro C. (Esp),
Venue: Commerzbank-Arena (Frankfurt)
Pre-match odds
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