EUROPA LEAGUE BETTING PICK - CHELSEA V SPARTA PRAGUE

Europa League

2013-02-21 - Chelsea vs Sparta Prague

A Sports Betting Pick by Auls

Chelsea v Sparta Prague
Football: European Europa League
Thursday 21 February 2013 - Kick Off 8:05pm
This game is live on TV

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Chelsea

Rafa Benitez has bemoaning the amount of games Chelsea have had to play recently, although he doesn't really have much to say about the fact they could only earn a replay against League One Brentford in the FA Cup. Regardless of the reasons, Benitez will be happy that his side brought back a 0-1 lead from Prague last week as that means he can rotate his squad in this one in anticipation of the big game against Manchester City on Sunday.

Exiting the Champions League into the Europa League means there are extra games on the schedule for Chelsea, but this clearly a competition their Spanish manager wishes to win. While it has been a hit and miss season in Europe for Chelsea so far, their home form has to be respected as they are unbeaten in their last 9 European games at Stamford Bridge and they have won 8 of those games.

Chelsea have lost just 1 of their last 10 games in all competitions so are rightly the big favourites to progress from this tie. They come into this one having won 3 in a row in all competitions, while Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 4 at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have won 3 in a row at home in all competitions and have scored 4 goals in each of their last 2 games here.

Rafa Benitez has admitted that Frank Lampard and Branislav Ivanovic will be rested in this game. Demba Ba is cup-tied, but it is also clear that Benitez doesn't believe Chelsea's place in the last-16 is booked just yet.

Sparta Prague

Sparta Prague showed a lot of heart and character in their home loss to Chelsea last week, but the fact they did lose the game puts them behind the black ball as they visit Stamford Bridge. It was a good performance for much of the game last week and did look set for a goalless draw until Oscar popped up to score a late winner.

The defeat to Chelsea extended Sparta Prague's run to 4 games without a win in the Europa League, although it was their first loss since a 2-1 defeat to Lyon, a run of 7 games. While Sparta Prague have only lost 1 of their 5 away games in this competition this season, it has to be said that they haven't won any of their last 4 and they have to win here to give themselves a chance of progressing.

The game last week was the first competitive one that Sparta Prague have played since the end of the Europa League Group Stage back in December. Sparta did go into the Winter break having been unbeaten in their last 7 away games in all competitions, although they drew all of those games and they haven't won any of their last 10 away from home in all competitions.

Jiri Jarosik missed the game in Prague last week, but he should be available for this one.

Head to Head

This will be the second time Sparta Prague have visited Stamford Bridge and the first time since 2003.

Chelsea and Sparta Prague were in the same Champions League Group in the 2003/04 season and drew 0-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Prediction

Rafa Benitez can't afford to let the fans get on his back and he will also want to maintain the momentum that Chelsea have picked up over the last couple of weeks. With that in mind, I am expecting a strong team to take to the field, even in the absence of Branislav Ivanovic and Frank Lampard in this one.

Chelsea created enough chances in the first half in Prague last week to think they will be too strong for Sparta in this game too, although I am a little wary as they don't have to win.

However, Chelsea have started scoring goals at home and I think they may even be able to pick off Sparta Prague as the game goes on and the Czech side chases a way to get back into the tie.

Taking Chelsea to win by at least 2 goals at 2.10 looks a decent shout in this one.

The Pick :