Eintracht Frankfurt vs Chelsea Leg 1 Odds and Picks – Europa League Semifinals
- Previous winners Chelsea are slightly favored
- Eintracht have beaten some big guns on way to last four
- Frankfurt are impressive surprise package
Eintracht Frankfurt will begin their attempt to reach a first European final since 1980 when they are at home against Chelsea in the Europa League semifinal, first leg on Thursday, May 2, 2019 at 3:00 pm EST.
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Chelsea Leg 1 Odds
Team | Spread | Money Line | Total | Odds To Advance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Eintracht Frankfurt | pk -108 | +166 | Ov 2½ -101 | +170 |
Chelsea | pk -112 | +158 | Un 2½ -119 | -215 |
*Odds taken April 29, 2019
The London club are currently fourth in the EPL and are rated as narrow favorites to win in Germany at +158.
Draw Looks an Inviting Bet
Frankfurt, fourth in the Bundesliga, are available at +166 with the draw an inviting +215.
Here's what Maurizio Sarri thought of yesterday's 1-1 draw at Old Trafford… ?
— Chelsea FC – #StayHomeSaveLives (@ChelseaFC) April 29, 2019
Chelsea won the competition in 2013. Eintracht have not reached a European final since they were beaten over two legs in the 1979-80 UEFA Cup final by Borussia Monchengladbach. Chelsea and Eintracht have never met before.
Chelsea have won 11 times and drawn once – scoring 30 goals in the process.
Despite some patchy form against the major outfits in the EPL recently, Chelsea have yet to lose a match in the Europa League this season.
They have won 11 times and drawn once – scoring 30 goals in the process.
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Chelsea Europa League Stats
9 | Wins | 11 |
1 | Losses | 0 |
2 | Draws | 1 |
28 | Goals | 30 |
48% | Possession | 63% |
78% | Passing Accuracy | 90% |
Giroud is Competition’s Top Scorer
Their French striker, Olivier Giroud, is the competition’s leading scorer with 10 goals.
All even. #SGE | #SGEBSC 0⃣ – 0⃣ | #SGEagles?? pic.twitter.com/RmB1BNeD0R
— Eintracht Frankfurt (@eintracht_us) April 27, 2019
Frankfurt have won nine and drawn two of their ties with their sole defeat a 4-2 setback against Benfica in the quarterfinal, first leg in Lisbon.
Frankfurt’s record in the knockout phase has been even more impressive as they have eliminated Shakhtar Donetsk, Internazionale and Benfica – all three of whom had stepped down from the Champions League.
A 2-2 draw followed at home sending Eintracht into the last four on away goals.
They won Group H with maximum points by winning home and away against Lazio, Apollon Limassol and Marseille.
Their record in the knockout phase has been even more impressive. Frankfurt have eliminated Shakhtar Donetsk, Internazionale and Benfica – all three of whom had stepped down from the Champions League.
Chelsea Uncertain Against Prague in London
Chelsea booked their place in the last eight with a 1-0 victory away at Slavia Prague and an uncertain 4-3 win in the return match at Stamford Bridge.
It has been a fluctuating season for the Blues in their first season under the command of Italian coach Maurizio Sarri.
The view in England is that Sarri is inflexible tactically and that his “Sarri-ball” methods of fast-paced, high-possession attacking football have been increasingly rumbled by opponents.
After an impressive opening spell in which the team won its first five matches in the EPL, things hit a rocky patch when in mid-January. Chelsea were beaten 4-0 by Bournemouth and 6-0 by Manchester City.
#RealMadrid 'confident' on deal for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Luka Jovic, say fresh reports https://t.co/khnyohamAR pic.twitter.com/LONNxFMSIi
— footballespana (@footballespana_) April 29, 2019
The view in England is that Sarri is inflexible tactically and that his “Sarri-ball” methods of fast-paced, high-possession attacking football have been increasingly rumbled by opponents.
Three EPL Games Without a Win
They also lost the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City and in recent weeks have suffered high-profile defeats at Everton and Liverpool. They were also frustratingly held 2-2 at home by lowly-placed Burnley last Monday.
Chelsea drew 1-1 against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
#TBT to our journey to 2013 Europa League glory! ?#CHEMAL
— Chelsea FC – #StayHomeSaveLives (@ChelseaFC) February 21, 2019
Their most recent win was a 2-0 success at home against West Ham United on April 8. They are now three EPL matches without a victory.
Chelsea are focused on the Europa League because winning the competition offers an alternative qualifying route into the Champions League if they fail to make the top four.
They have held on to their fourth position because their rivals for the fourth-placed Champions League qualifying sport – Arsenal and Manchester United – have suffered major setbacks recently.
However, they are focussed on the Europa League because winning the competition offers an alternative qualifying route into the Champions League if they fail to make the top four.
Eintracht Punching Above Their Weight
Frankfurt are considered to be punching above their weight in a German game dominated by Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
Their victory against Bayern in the 2017-18 DFB-Pokal cup final delivered Eintracht’s first major trophy in 30 years.
Their Serbian forward Luka Jovic is the second-leading goal-getter in the Bundesliga with 17 goals from 29 appearances.
Under Austrian coach Adi Hutter, they have developed an attractive, high-tempo brand of intense attacking football. They’ll look to contain Chelsea largely in their own half.
Their Serbian forward Luka Jovic is the second-leading goal-getter in the Bundesliga with 17 goals from 29 appearances.
Dip in Bundesliga Form
Their domestic form has stuttered recently as they were held to a goalless draw at home against Hertha Berlin on Saturday, April 27. That followed a 1-1 draw at Vfl Wolfsburg. Prior to that, they were defeated 3-1 at home by Augsburg.
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has been identified as a possible replacement for AC Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso, according to reports.
Latest gossip: https://t.co/xcDmuiLWzK pic.twitter.com/XRsSNrasjo
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) April 29, 2019
Meanwhile, Chelsea have also been unsettled by suggestions that Sarri may this summer become one of the many coaches axed by Russian owner Roman Abramovich.
There has also been ceaseless speculation that star playmaker Eden Hazard will depart for Real Madrid at the end of the season.
Pick: Draw (+215)