Europa League
2013-05-15 - Benfica vs Chelsea FC
A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser
Football : Europa League Final
Wednesday 15th May 2013 – Kickoff time 20:45
Match Preview :
Just a year after winning the Champions League, Chelsea will now aim to lift the Europa League when they clash with Portuguese outfit Benfica tonight.
Chelsea reached the final after winning 2-1 in Switzerland against Basel before securing a 3-1 victory at home in their semi-final tie. But for Benfica, they had to come back against Turkish side Fenerbahce after losing the first leg 1-0 in Turkey before securing a 3-1 win on their own soil to book their spot in the final of the competition.
Benfica comes into this match with a defeat to Porto in their domestic comeptition. However, it has still been an impressive season for them as they have lost just five times in all competition. Benfica also managed 23 out of 29 wins in the Portuguese Superliga.
Chelsea meanwhile looks set to secure third place in the Premiership and a place in the Champions League next season. However, before Rafa Benitez leaves the club, with Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho odds-on to replace Rafael Benitez at the end of the campaign, he will want to add to his cv the Europa League with Chelsea.
The two sides last met in the Champions League quarter-finals last season, with Chelsea winning 1-0 in Portugal before claiming a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge to book a last-four spot against Barcelona, in which they went on to win the title against Bayern Munich.
Form:
Benfica - L W W D L
Chelsea - W W W D W
Team News :
Benfica Team News :
Benfica have no fresh injuries ahead of this match. However, Oscar Cardozo is expected to return to the side after a late appearance from the bench. Meanwhile, Andre Almeida is expected to shake off an injury but if he fails to recover, then Roderick will be on standby to start.
Nemanja Matic, should also start in the middle of midfield against his former club. And Nicolas Gaitan will join Eduardo Salvio and Lima in attack.
Chelsea Team News :
Chelsea could miss the services of Captain John Terry, who limped out of their 2-1 win over Aston Villa last weekend. But with Gary Cahill and former Benfica defender David Luiz forming a pair at the heart of the defence, the former England defender was not expected to start anyway if he had been fit.
Meanwhile, Victor Moses is also pushing for a start in this match. However, the former Wigan Athletic winger is expected to be named on the bench with Brazilian Oscar coming into the side to form a three-pronged attack with Juan Mata and Eden Hazard.
Possible lineups
Benfica: Artur; Pereira, Luisao, Garay, Almeida; Matic, Perez; Gaitan, Lima, Salvio; Cardozo
Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Luiz, Cahill, Cole; Ramires, Lampard; Mata, Oscar, Hazard; Torres
Prediction:
Go for Chelsea on level ball not to lose this match.
The Pick :
Benfica 1-2 Chelsea
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take Chelsea on level ball to win this match.
